analysis

In more than three decades of covering elections in Angus I can’t recall a situation where so many victors looked so downcast.

That was what happened as the SNP took a bit of a hiding in its traditional Angus stronghold.

Local elections always bring change and with the national and European context very much part of the picture, the Tories and Independents both played up their prospects.

However, the scale of the Conservative bounce and the casualties it claimed took everyone by surprise.

The shocks came from the off as Jeanette Gaul –a rumoured contender for the post of leader vacated by her husband Iain – flopped in her bid for re-election in Kirrie.

Glennis Middleton in Forfar and Arbroath’s Donald Morrison and Sheena Welsh were other Nationalist departures.

In some ways we have, however, been here before with the election before last which gave rise to the coalition Angus Alliance.

That had its problems and the Angus electorate must now wait to see the outcome of the dealings to be done in the days ahead – and whether those who were part of that rainbow administration can learn from the experience and leave its less memorable aspects in the past.

But it is difficult to see how they will not get another bite at the cherry in another return to the sidelines for the Nationalists.