Tory farmer poised for triumph

Farmer John Scott is no stranger to the field of politics in Ayrshire.

He contested the Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley constituency in last May's Scottish Parliament elections.

When the votes were counted, he came third behind Labour's Cathy Jamieson and the Scottish National Party's Adam Ingram.

Mr Scott was also on the Conservatives' list for the South of Scotland, but at number seven, he failed to secure a "top-up" seat.

John Scott raises a glass with William Hague

Twice during the by-election campaign, he welcomed the UK party leader William Hague onto the patch to boost his attempt to win over voters.

Born and bred in Ayrshire, he farms at Balkissock in a family partnership.

Educated at Barrhill School and George Watson's College, he was awarded a BSc in Civil Engineering from Edinburgh University.

Mr Scott later established the Ayrshire Farmers' Market, became chairman of the South of Scotland regional wool committee and has been extensively involved with the National Farmers Union of Scotland.

In politics, he served on the Conservatives' Rifkind Policy Commission as the rural affairs commissioner, chaired the working group and wrote the rural affairs policy group report.

He is a justice of the peace and is married with one son and daughter. His interests include golf, curling, reeling and bridge. He played rugby for Wigtownshire from 1969 to 1973.