MP said it would take a miracle to save participation in the Crichton — Alex Salmond

"My favourite is a hung parliament with 20 SNP MPs. I want to be calling the shots, organising the tune."

"She is the living memorial as to why Scots want their own parliament."

"Its not to pretend you can do everything, but if people like you – in the sense of admiring or having respect for what you are trying to do – then they will understand the odd blemish. If people dont like you, and lack confidence in what you are trying to do, they wont forgive you anything."

"The campaign was disgusting. It split on religious lines. It was one of those moments when you thought that ‘if politics is going to be like this, I’d like to go and do something else’."

"Come on, this is big stuff. These are all tackling underlying issues – its not just a question of striking and announcements."

"It would be much easier if we had the full powers of an independent country. Therefore I was anticipating being in that position by 2017."