The Scottish Conservatives claimed the “political landscape” of the north-east had changed overnight after a surge in support wrestled Aberdeenshire West from the SNP.
Tory Alexander Burnett triumphed over Dennis Robertson by 13,400 votes to 12.500 in what was one of the shocks of the night.
The Banchory businessman is the first Conservative to claim the seat, and his remarkable victory left many Nationalist activists in tears and Mr Robertson visibly shaken.
Mr Burnett – who made a failed bid for the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire Westminster seat last year – said: “It just feels quite unbelievable. I was determined to win this seat.
“I think one of the most exciting challenges is that this constituency is one of the most diverse in Scotland from constituents on the edge of Aberdeen in Westhill to farmers in Upper Deeside and Donside, and everyone in between.
“The political landscape has changed.”
Mr Robertson said it had been an “immense pleasure” to serve the constituency of Aberdeenshire West.
He added: “Alexander, you have wonderful constituency and I hope you do it proud.”
One-time Liberal Democrat leadership candidate Mike Rumbles, who held the seat from 1999 to 2011, won 7,262 votes and Labour’s Sarah Duncan picked up 2,036.
In neighbouring Aberdeenshire East first-time candidate Gillian Martin fought off a similar challenge from the Conservatives to hold an SNP seat vacated by former first minister Alex Salmond.
Mrs Martin won 15,912 votes, while Conservative Colin Clark came second with 10,075. Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine secured 6,611 votes and Labour’s Sarah Flavell 2,155.
After her victory, an emotional Mrs Martin said: “I am quite overwhelmed by the amount of trust people have put in me.
“I really meant what I said about my success being testament to Alex Salmond before me, because he is a massive figure in Aberdeenshire East.”
Mr Clark said: “It is an absolutely excellent result for us. It shows the Conservatives are really back on the Scottish political map, we are a true force now.”
And in Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP stalwart and former transport minister Stewart Stevenson fended-off opposition from Tory Peter Chapman, claiming victory over his challenger with 15,802 votes to 9,219.
Labour’s Nathan Morrison polled 2,372 votes and Liberal Democrat David Evans secured 1,290.
Mr Stevenson said: “We’re all democrats together – it’s a tough old game and the losers will feel sore.”