The leader of the Scottish National Party is the highest position within Scotland's Scottish National Party (SNP). The incumbent is John Swinney, who was elected unopposed in the 2024 leadership election on 6 May 2024, succeeding Humza Yousaf as party leader.
Scotland has had a devolved government since 1999. When the SNP is Scotland's major governing party, as it currently is, its leader has also been the First Minister of Scotland.
History The post was officially created on 7 April 1934 with the foundation of the SNP. The role was titled Chairman of the Scottish National Party from 1934 until 1969, with the first chairman, Alexander MacEwen, appointed to the office in 1934. In 1969 the title of chairman was replaced with that of National Convener, with William Wolfe the first person elected as National Convener. The post gained its current title of Leader at the SNP spring conference on 24 April 2004.
While Gordon Wilson had the longest uninterrupted spell as leader, lasting just over eleven years from 1979 to 1990, Alex Salmond has been the party's longest-serving leader overall, serving twenty years and two months across two spells as leader.
Other party leadership Keith Brown is the deputy leader of the party; however, he is not the Deputy First Minister of Scotland. Dave Doogan is the party's leader in Westminster since 2026, following the disqualification of Stephen Flynn due to his election to the Scottish Parliament.
Leaders of the Scottish National Party (1934–present) Leader Portrait Political office Took office Left office Alexander MacEwen Provost of Inverness (1925–1931) 7 April 1934 1936 Andrew Dewar Gibb KC 1936 1940 William Power 1940 30 May 1942 Douglas Young 30 May 1942 9 June 1945 Bruce Watson 9 June 1945 May 1947 Robert McIntyre MP for Motherwell (1945) May 1947 June 1956 James Halliday June 1956 5 June 1960 Arthur Donaldson Councillor for Angus (1946–1955) 5 June 1960 1 June 1969 William Wolfe 1 June 1969 15 September 1979 Gordon Wilson MP for Dundee East (1974–1987) 15 September 1979 22 September 1990 Alex Salmond MP for Banff and Buchan (1987–2010) 22 September 1990 26 September 2000 John Swinney MSP for North Tayside (1999–2011) 26 September 2000 3 September 2004 Alex Salmond First Minister (2007–2014) 3 September 2004 14 November 2014 Nicola Sturgeon First Minister (2014–2023) 14 November 2014 27 March 2023 Humza Yousaf First Minister (2023–2024) 27 March 2023 6 May 2024 John Swinney First Minister (2024–present) 6 May 2024 Incumbent
Timeline
References