Tavish Scott pledged yesterday to lead a Liberal Democrat fightback in Scotland by taking his party back out on the road instead of playing what he termed Holyrood �games�.

Tavish Scott pledged yesterday to lead a Liberal Democrat fightback in Scotland by taking his party back out on the road instead of playing what he termed Holyrood "games".

Mr Scott made repeated reference to Chris Hoy's gold medal success, linking the idea of Olympic and Commonwealth Games achievement to his party's federal vision of Scotland within the UK.

Today the new LibDem leader will take in the celebration in Edinburgh for Scots Olympians, and travel to Glenrothes to begin the fight on the ground for the coming Westminster by-election.

Speaking at Murrayfield Stadium after his comfortable first-round win against opponents Ross Finnie and Mike Rumbles, the new leader struck a combative tone with his criticisms of the SNP Government.

Mr Scott becomes the third leader of the party in Scotland since devolution after Jim Wallace and Nicol Stephen Mr Stephen quit last month citing family reasons Mr Scott said: "After less than 18 months in government, the SNP is riding high in the polls. They're popular but here's my prediction: By 2010, they won't be.

"We can already see underlying weaknesses that will undo Alex Salmond. What looks confident, sure-footed and wily today will be seen as arrogant, misguided, and politically dishonest tomorrow.

"Spin is the hallmark of this government but spin has a shelf-life. The other day Mr Salmond ended weeks of dither by announcing what he would do to help the housing market -- double-count government investment in affordable homes, and then land cash-starved councils with the bill.

"This is the man who attacks Gordon Brown with venom but the truth is they're two of a kind. Faced with a problem, their instincts are the same - Dither and Macdither - same tactics, same flaws, same admiration of Margaret Thatcher."

And Mr Scott insisted: "When Scotland votes in the coming election, people will be looking for a party that understands their needs, that offers solutions to their problems and that is ready to lead, throughout Scotland."

The Shetland MSP, who lists the Up-Helly-Aa celebrations among his interests and who grew a Viking beard to participate, told The Herald last night that his approach would mark a change in his party's strategy.

"I will take our party outside the Holyrood bubble. I am not going to spend all my time playing games at Holyrood," he said. "I am not going to spend all my time in parliament, and that starts with Glenrothes tomorrow."

He was congratulated by his two opponents and by senior LibDem figures, including the federal lead Nick Clegg who said he would bring energy and enthusiasm to the role.

Mr Finnie, who finished second, offered his "heartfelt congratulations" to Mr Scott on his victory.

Mr Rumbles added that it had been a "great election campaign" and pledged his support for the new leader.

An aide to the First Minister said last night: "Mr Salmond congratulates Mr Scott on his victory today, but it is unfortunate that he has struck exactly the same kind of sour and negative note that has led the LibDems to disappear without trace since last year's election.

"Today was an opportunity for a fresh start but Tavish has thrown that away with his first utterance."

But Labour reacted positively to the election of a former coalition colleague, with a party spokesperson saying: "Tavish has distinguished himself as both a back bencher and a minister during his time in the Scottish Parliament.

"He has shown he can rise above narrow partisan politics for the overall good of Scottish people when he served as Transport Minister on the Scottish Executive in coalition with the Labour Party. He is to be congratulated on his victory."

Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Tories, said: "We congratulate Tavish on his election as the LibDem leader.

"He will have a tough job as he takes over the reins of Scotland's fourth party, especially since Scottish politics is now a three-horse race."

The jibe was a reflection on where the LibDems find themselves after the euphoria of the Dunfermline West by-election victory in 2006.

The Holyrood election last year saw the party slip to fourth place in Scotland behind the Tories, a trend confirmed at the Glasgow East by-election last month and by recent polls which show them continuing to trail.

The Glenrothes contest will therefore provide an early test of Mr Scott's credentials.