In pictures: The Holyrood 2016 campaign album
- Published
Where is all began - The party leaders posed for pictures together on Holyrood dissolution day, 23 March
Scotland's political leaders have spent six gruelling weeks posing for pictures in a series of increasingly outlandish stunts to drum up support for the Holyrood election. I had a trawl back through the files to pick out my favourite snaps from the campaign trail.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon was widely renowned as the Queen of Selfies even before she managed to snap a picture with a Shetland pony while campaigning in the northern isles.
In pictures captured by third parties, the SNP leader also laced up her boxing gloves, battered a drumkit and iced some cakes with her party's logo.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale
Kezia Dugdale said she didn't want to get drawn into a "Generation Game" style campaign of outlandish photo shoots, preferring serious visits to schools and hospitals.
Despite this, the Scottish Labour leader did find herself kicking footballs at photographers, external and driving around in go-karts, as well as fitting in games of golf and pool.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson
Ruth Davidson is renowned as a veteran of the quirky photocall, having infamously straddled a tank during the 2015 General Election campaign.
The Scottish Conservative leader maintained this pace for the Holyrood elections, mounting a skidoo and a buffalo as well as racing around in a car, a steam ship and a forklift truck.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie
Willie Rennie set the pace for the election when he was punched in the mouth by a dog during one of his first forays onto the campaign trail.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader has since slid, kayaked, ziplined, quad-biked, and go-karted his way across Scotland, bringing unrivalled (and at times inexplicable) enthusiasm to the campaign. Also, pigs, external.
Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie
Patrick Harvie may never have looked happier than he did the moment he discovered a Doctor Who LP while promoting the Green manifesto in a record store.
The Scottish Green co-convenor has also shared cakes with England and Wales party leader Natalie Bennett, petted countless dogs, planted some flowers and taken part in a bike ride while on the campaign trail.
UKIP's David Coburn
David Coburn of UKIP Scotland gained some early notoriety on the election trail when his attempt to join in with an STV leaders debate via Periscope was derailed by online pranksters.
He followed this up by posing with a fish on his face, drinking an obligatory pint with UKIP leader Nigel Farage, and toting a machine gun for a feature in the Sun newspaper, external.