A former candidate for the leadership of the SNP has ruled out standing for the position again in the wake of Alex Salmond's sudden resignation.

After Scots voted against independence, Mr Salmond announced yesterday he will be stepping down from the position of both SNP leader and First Minister.

Roseanna Cunningham, who stood for the leadership of the party against Mr Salmond in 2004, today made clear she would not be putting herself forward for the job.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already emerged as the clear favourite to take over from Mr Salmond, when he formally steps down at the SNP annual conference in November.

A spokesman for Ms Cunningham, the community safety minister in the Scottish Government, said: "Roseanna wants to make it quite clear that she has absolutely no intention or desire to stand for either the leadership or the deputy leadership of the party.

"There are talented individuals within the party who can fill those roles and she looks forward to working with them to continue to advance the cause of Scotland, the SNP and independence."

Meanwhile, Mr Salmond was photographed outside him home in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, this afternoon.

Mr Salmond, who is MSP for Aberdeenshire East, stopped to talk to members of the public and waved to passers-by.

He returned to the area last night after making the announcement at a press conference at his official residence Bute House in Edinburgh that he would be stepping down.

He posted a photo online of him and his wife Moira in a helicopter on their way home, and thanked supporters for their "kind messages".