As the Holyrood class of 2026 get set to “graduate”, a new cohort hope to begin their rise to the top.
In a little over six weeks, voters will go to the polls to cast their ballot in the Scottish parliament election on 7 May.
A number of political big hitters will not be standing for re-election, including former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and ex-Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.
The Scottish parliament building, known as Holyrood, in Edinburgh. Pic: PA
With dozens of other veteran MSPs also deciding to step down, it leaves room for party “hot shots” to carve a future in Scottish politics.
Here are some of the rising stars hoping to make it to Holyrood for the first time.
Scottish Greens: Holly Bruce
Holly Bruce. Pic: Scottish Greens
The Scottish Greens have set their sights on gaining their first ever constituency seat – and believe Glasgow councillor Holly Bruce has what it takes to deliver.
The 32-year-old, who currently represents the Langside ward, will contest former first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s Glasgow Southside seat.
Ms Bruce told Sky News she got into politics from an early age.
She said: “I felt a strong urge to speak up for my beliefs – particularly around class and feminism.
“Like a lot of people of my generation, the independence referendum marked a turning point. It made me far more likely to debate, engage and get involved in what was happening around me.”
Ms Bruce’s first political role was communities president at Aberdeen University Students’ Union.
She said: “It was the height of Brexit turmoil and Trump’s first campaign. I didn’t ease into politics – I was thrown straight into the deep end.”
Ms Bruce. Pic: Scottish Greens
Ms Bruce hopes to “do politics differently” at Holyrood.
She said: “The era of stale, performative politics is over. It’s time for something real. That means being present.
“I live in the community that I am seeking to represent. I will continue to work alongside local people and community groups. Showing up consistently. Practicing genuine, grassroots local politics – not just talking about it.
“It also means changing who gets to lead. We need stronger representation of young, working-class women in politics.
“I will bring a gendered lens to the work every single day – pushing not just for the promise of equality, but for equality that is lived, felt, and real.
“That is what I have done as a Glasgow councillor, particularly with my work around feminist town planning and my local campaigning, and it is what I will bring to Holyrood.”
Under new leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, the Scottish Greens hope to gain on the party’s record eight seats from 2021.
A spokesperson said: “Holly has shown herself to be an excellent councillor. She’s very active in her community and brings a wealth of experience.
“She is compassionate and enthusiastic and would make a fantastic MSP for Glasgow Southside.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie. Pic: Scottish Liberal Democrats
Dutch-born Sanne Dijkstra-Downie also hopes to make the jump from councillor to MSP.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat currently represents the Forth ward at the City of Edinburgh Council and is now eyeing up a win in the Edinburgh Northern constituency.
Ms Dijkstra-Downie told Sky News she first moved to the Scottish capital as a student in 2002 before joining the Lib Dems the following year when then party leader Charles Kennedy took a principled stance against the Iraq war.
The 44-year-old said: “A few years later, a council candidate – in the ward I now represent as a councillor – knocked on my door and asked for my help with her campaign, and the rest is history.”
Ms Dijkstra-Downie, who is married with children, said she was drawn to her party’s “focus on education, civil liberties and the environment”.
However, it has been the friendships she has built along the way with “many deeply committed individuals” that has encouraged her to stay.
She said: “Over the years I’ve campaigned for many fantastic candidates who all embody what Lib Dems are all about; making a real, practical difference to people’s lives and getting things done for our communities.
“That’s the kind of MSP I aspire to be.”
Ms Dijkstra-Downie out on the campaign trail. Pic: Scottish Liberal Democrats
Ms Dijkstra-Downie said she is “often frustrated by the lack of government funding for vital council services”.
She added: “I will push for more funding and more freedom for local government so it can best serve its residents.
“In my professional life I worked as a fundraiser for climate and oceans research and teaching, and I want to bring that passion for the environment into Holyrood.
“As a family we have also had some pretty intensive first-hand experience of the NHS. It’s vital that we protect and improve the NHS and I also want to advocate for parents and carers of children with serious illness.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton believes Ms Dijkstra-Downie will make a “great” MSP.
He added: “She has the experience and energy to represent Edinburgh Northern and will speak up for residents on the issues that matter most.”
SNP: Lloyd Melville
Lloyd Melville. Pic: SNP
The SNP believe Angus councillor Lloyd Melville would be an “outstanding addition” to the Scottish parliament.
The 25-year-old, who currently represents the Monifieth and Sidlaw ward, will contest the Angus South constituency.
Mr Melville told Sky News he first became interested in politics around the time of the 2016 EU referendum.
He said: “Seeing Scotland taken out of the EU against our clearly expressed wishes, with the accompanying loss of rights and opportunities for young people, simply didn’t sit right with me.
“It was a moment that made clear how limited Scotland’s voice really was.”
Mr Melville said he joined the SNP as he “didn’t just want to complain about that – I wanted to change it”.
He added: “I’ve benefited directly from SNP policies like free university tuition, free prescriptions, and affordable housing that meant a council home was there for me when I needed dignity and a fresh start. That shapes how I see politics.
“Today, I serve as an SNP councillor, working to protect local services and deliver for my community.
“I have worked alongside our MPs and MSPs, supporting constituents across Angus every day, helping people navigate the system and get results.
“Before politics, I worked in retail, hospitality and theatre. That experience keeps me grounded in the realities many families face.”
Mr Melville alongside SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney. Pic: SNP
Mr Melville said he wants to bring his “energy and determination” to Holyrood to help improve lives and build a stronger future for the next generation.
He added: “Under John Swinney’s leadership, the Scottish government is committed to that ambition.
“Scotland has the talent and the resources to succeed. What we need is the full power to shape our own future. That’s why I’m proud to stand for the SNP.”
The SNP said Mr Melville is “full of energy, ideas, and is a fantastic communicator”.
A party spokesperson said: “Lloyd brings a fresh perspective which is already engaging more and more people with politics.
“At a time when many people – young people in particular – are disillusioned with politics, Lloyd’s passion and initiative is exactly what is needed.”
The SNP said Mr Melville has been a “formidable local champion” since becoming a councillor.
The party added: “He has been key to delivering the funding for the local Monifieth Learning Campus, led the creation of the housing committee to improve local homes, and twinned Angus with Sumy in Ukraine and supported Ukrainian refugees.
“It’s clear Lloyd is a talented and driven candidate who, if elected as the SNP MSP for Angus South on 7 May, will make a remarkable difference to the lives of people in Scotland.”
Scottish Labour: Mike McKirdy
Mike McKirdy. Pic: Scottish Labour
Retired NHS surgeon Mike McKirdy told Sky News he hopes to bring his “commitment, drive, energy and considerable life experience” to Holyrood.
Mr McKirdy, 63, will contest the Renfrewshire North and Cardonald constituency and believes his extensive medical background will help to shape Scotland for the better.
He said: “I first became politically active in the 1980s, as many other young people in Scotland did, in response to the Thatcher government and their wanton destruction of the NHS, industrial Scotland, council housing and indeed the very fabric of our society.
“However, as my career as an NHS surgeon developed, and family life became busier, I found myself with little opportunity to be actively involved.”
Mr McKirdy has 40 years’ experience of working in the NHS – including 27 years as a breast cancer surgeon at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
He has also held senior leadership roles, including as national clinical lead for breast services in Scotland between 2019 and 2021, and at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, where he served as president between 2021 and 2024.
Mr McKirdy said: “When I retired from clinical practice in December 2024, I certainly did not think that my future lay in politics.
“But, as I looked on and saw the failure of the NHS to provide timely care to those in need, I once again became involved.”
Mr McKirdy with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Pic: Scottish Labour
Mr McKirdy was commissioned by Scottish Labour last year to review the country’s health service.
He said: “My report found widespread failure to focus on the delivery of care – appointments, investigations, procedures and emergency care.
“I also found that life expectancy in Scotland is the lowest in western Europe.”
Mr McKirdy said he has “a real interest in peoples’ lives, their families and concerns and a strong desire to improve Scotland for everyone”.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “Mike McKirdy has decades of experience working on the frontline of our NHS and huge knowledge of health and public policy.
“He has seen first-hand how important our NHS is and what needs to change so it is fit for the future.
“He would bring huge expertise to Holyrood and he would be a tireless champion for the people of Renfrewshire North and Cardonald.”
Scottish Conservatives: Helen Crawford
Helen Crawford. Pic: Scottish Conservatives
The Scottish Conservatives believe Highland councillor Helen Crawford would make a “first-rate” MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
Ms Crawford, 56, who currently represents the Aird and Loch Ness ward, told Sky News she first got into politics in 2022 as she felt the nation’s “children and teachers were being let down”.
She said: “I wanted to step forward, represent my community, and be part of making that change.”
Ms Crawford said she has always been a “moderate, centre-right person”.
She added: “That’s not the most fashionable position in Scottish politics, but it’s an essential one.
“Good policy needs balance, common sense, and a willingness to challenge groupthink, and that’s what the Scottish Conservatives represent.
“As a party we are not naive – we know we face real challenges – but that’s exactly why I want to be part of rebuilding and renewing a strong, credible centre-right offering in Scotland.”
Ms Crawford described herself as a “doer”.
She added: “As a councillor, I’ve pushed hard on education and brought community councils from across Scotland together on major energy infrastructure, leading to a Rural Scotland Convention round table at Holyrood.”
Ms Crawford out on the campaign trail. Pic: Scottish Conservatives
The Scottish Tories said Ms Crawford has also “fought tirelessly for communities as a local councillor in objecting to mega pylon proposals that would blight these areas”.
Ms Crawford said: “Politics is shifting – there’s a profound need for people with a proven track record of delivering to step up.
“We’ve all had enough of career politicians. I want to bring that results-driven approach to Holyrood. It’s our parliament and it should deliver for us.”
The Scottish Conservatives said Ms Crawford would “bring a wealth of real-world experience to Holyrood”.
A spokesperson for the party added: “Before entering politics she was a lawyer with overseas experience in cases involving human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
“And as a successful business owner she is a champion for local Highland businesses and boosting our struggling high streets.”
The party urged voters to elect Scottish Tory MSPs “like Helen who will always put their constituents’ interests first”.
The Scottish parliament election is due to be held on Thursday 7 May. Pic: PA
Reform UK was invited to take part in this feature, but did not provide details of any rising party stars.
