FORMER Labour cabinet minister Patricia Ferguson was a familiar Holyrood face having served as an MSP since the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

The 57-year-old, who was born in Maryhill in Glasgow, has been elected four times to represent the area, winning the newly-created Maryhill and Springburn seat with 48% of the vote in 2011.

But as the dust settled on a city that voted Yes in 2014's referendum on independence, the overlapping UK Parliament constituency of Glasgow North saw the SNP's Patrick Grady sweep to victory with a swing of almost 30% last year.

READ MORE: Liberal Democrat Alison McInnes has strong record on justice and local issues

As Labour politicians looked to the regional list as a means of hanging on as MSPs in the face of the SNP juggernaut, Ms Ferguson found herself placed sixth in Glasgow, behind her husband, the former MSP Bill Butler.

The position must have been a blow for an MSP who served as a cabinet minister in the Labour-led government for more six years.

She was first appointed to the Scottish Executive cabinet in November 2001 by former first minister Jack McConnell, taking on the role of Minister for Parliament, and three years later became minister for tourism, culture and sport.

In opposition she served as Labour's spokeswoman on culture, sport and external affairs.

During her 17 years at the Scottish Parliament, Ms Ferguson also held the office of deputy presiding officer.

READ MORE: Liberal Democrat Alison McInnes has strong record on justice and local issues