The Scottish Parliament is the devolved legislature of Scotland. It was founded in 1999. The 129 members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are elected using the additional member system. 73 MSPs are elected through the first-past-the-post system in the Parliament's single-member constituencies, while 56 are elected in the regions to ensure results are proportional. There are 8 regions, electing 7 MSPs each. By-elections to the Parliament occur when a constituency seat becomes vacant, due to the death or resignation of a member.
There were no by-elections in the 3rd Scottish Parliament term (2007–11).
By-elections Where seats changed political party at the by-election, the result is highlighted: pink for a Labour gain, and blue for a Conservative gain
+List of by-elections for constituency members Parliament By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Ref 6th Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse 5 June 2025 Davy Russell Death (breast cancer) 5th Shetland 29 August 2019 Resignation (to take a new role at Scottish Rugby) Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire 8 June 2017 Resignation (to contest a seat in the 2017 UK general election) 4th Cowdenbeath 23 January 2014 Death (cancer) Dunfermline 24 October 2013 Resignation (convicted of assault) Aberdeen Donside 20 June 2013 Death (cancer) 2nd Moray 27 April 2006 Death (breast cancer) Glasgow Cathcart 29 September 2005 Resignation (convicted of fire-raising) 1st Banff and Buchan 7 June 2001 Resignation (to focus on the Parliament of the United Kingdom) Strathkelvin and Bearsden 7 June 2001 Resignation (health reasons) Glasgow Anniesland 23 November 2000 Death (brain hemorrhage) Ayr 16 March 2000 Resignation (family reasons)
See also Regional member changes in the Scottish Parliament List of by-elections to the Senedd Elections in Scotland
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