The Liberal Democrats have wrestled a crucial constituency seat from the SNP in Edinburgh, imperiling the party of government's hopes of an outright majority.
On Friday afternoon, it was announced that Sanne Dijkstra-Downie defeated fellow City of Edinburgh councillor Euan Hyslop in the redrawn seat of Edinburgh Northern.
The Dutch-born charity fundraiser received 12,972 votes, while Mr Hyslop received 10,479 votes. Scottish Greens candidate Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill played spoiler, receiving 5,289 votes.
In total, 37,641 votes were cast in the constituency on 57% turnout.
Speaking to supporters before the result, Ms Dijkstra-Downie said: "The people of Edinburgh Norhern have chosen change with fairness at its heart and we are delighted. Let's get to work."
It is a monumental victory for the Lib Dems, who finished 22 points behind the SNP in the seat in 2021 (based on notional results).
Party insiders credited the victory to a combination of redrawn boundaries and a strong ground campaign.
Dozens of party activists and canvassers flooded the area of the counting hall next to the platform as Ms Dijkstra-Downie celebrated her victory.
The defeat could prove impactful for the SNP, as the BBC currently projects them to win 63 seats; two short of a majority.
The SNP also lost the Na h-Eileanan an Iar seat in the Western Isles to Scottish Labour and Strathkelvin and Bearsden to the Lib Dems.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh North Western, Lib Dem party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton cruised to re-election, defeating his SNP opponent by 13,000 votes.
Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the count on Friday, he said: "We are winning in parts of the country we've never won before and also I'm very hopeful about regional gains as well.
"It's a very mixed bag across the country, obviously some really odd results happening, but for the Lib Dems no question it's a good day."
As of 5.30 pm on Thursday, the Lib Dems have secured five constituency seats; in Orkney, Edinburgh Northern, Edinburgh North Western, Strathkelvin and Bearsden, and Fife North East.
However, the joy of winning new seats in Edinburgh and outside Glasgow was somewhat tempered by the shocking revelation that the party lost in Shetland, a seat the Lib Dems have held since the Scottish Parliament reconvened in 1999.
The last time Shetland has been represented by anyone other than a Liberal was 76 years ago, in 1950.
"First and foremost we've had an amazing team up there and my heart goes out," Mr Cole-Hamilton told reporters on Friday afternoon.
"That's politics and congratulations to the SNP if they have, but they have been throwing everything at it, the SNP, since the by-election in 2019."
In Shetland, the SNP's Hannah Mary Goodlad won 47% of the vote, ahead of Lib Deb challenger Emma Macdonald, who finished with 34%.
Speaking after the declaration, Ms Goodlad thanked the Lib Dems for their years of work in the islands.
“And now the baton passes on,” she said. “And while the direction may change, the dedication to Shetland must never waver.
“I look forward to working constructively between Holyrood and Westminster because when we put our islands first, and Shetland first, cross party collaboration could actually achieve something very special for the place that we call home.”
Similarly, speaking hours later in Edinburgh, Ms Dijkstra-Downie offered an olive branch to her opponents.
"I want to thank the people on this stage, some of whom I've known for years, for a very civil campaign," she said. "We are colleagues in democracy, even if we stood on different platforms, and there are things that we all agree on and deeply care about.
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"Our commitment to education, and particularly pupil support, for instance, is something that I know is shared passionately by people on this stage, and it is an issue that I will take into parliament on all of our behalfs.
"Today, the people of North Edinburgh have given us a clear signal. They voted for change, but they voted for change with fairness at its heart, not the change of division, blame and bothering. Like many people in North Edinburgh, I wasn't born here, but I've made this city my home. This city has given me, as it has done for many others, the chance to build a life and a family and find a community that I love.
"And today, it has given me another opportunity to give something back. Today is not a finish line, it is a starting signal. The hard work starts now and I am ready for it."
The crowd roared behind her.
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