The SNP will be lacking a majority in the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish National Party he was well on his way to remaining the largest parliamentary party in Holyrood on Saturday, but it looks like he will miss out on winning a majority of 129 seats in the chamber.
The pro-independence SNP won 59 of the 70 seats in the first constituency declared on Saturday evening, but was unable to take the marginal targets that were considered essential for a majority in a proportionately represented parliament.
The fourth Scottish parliamentary election victory for the SNP means it will continue in the Edinburgh government with a strong platform to push for a second referendum on UK independence.