With the close of nominations, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced a full slate of candidates to contest the forthcoming general election.

In addition to previously announced candidates in Lib Dem target seats such as journalist and broadcaster Christine Jardine in Edinburgh West and former business minister Jo Swinson in East Dunbartonshire, the party has announced that former MP Alan Reid will contest Argyll and Bute, where the Lib Dem Council Group grew and Dr Jean Davis for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, the former seat of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy where the party is only 5,000 votes behind.

Announcing the full candidate list, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

“The Scottish Liberal Democrats are the only party who are pro-EU, pro-UK and progressive.

"The most winnable seats for the party have selected women as candidates helping to tackle gender inequality.

“Over the past few days I’ve been criss-crossing the country visiting fantastic Liberal Democrat candidates.  I have heard people tell me they’re fed up of the SNP’s stuck record on independence.

"The bigger my team of MPs the greater the chance we have of stopping another divisive independence referendum.  

"We can also provide a decent challenge to the Conservatives at Westminster as Labour are incapable of providing any coherent opposition. Theresa May should not get it all her own way which is why we need more Lib Dem MPs."

Alan Reid said: 

“Following on from the increase in our vote and clear second place at last May’s election, the Liberal Democrats are best placed to challenge the SNP and bring about the change that Argyll and Bute so badly needs.

The SNP have been in power far too long. Our health service is being starved of funds and failing to meet its targets. Our police force is in crisis. College places have been slashed.

Argyll and Bute needs an experienced voice like myself to stand up in Westminster and demand a better deal for this constituency. I will be campaigning on all these issues to bring about the change we so desperately need.

Commenting on her selection Dr Jean Davis said: 

“I want to win Charles Kennedy's seat back.  I will passionately argue against independence and fight for the UK’s place in the European Union. The people of Ross, Skye and Lochaber deserve an MP who will put our area first, not independence.   

“I will take action on issues from fuel costs to ferry fares and broadband to mobile phone coverage.  I will speak for the Highlands against the centralisation of services to the central belt and oppose the £14 million underfunding of our NHS in the Highlands."

The full list of candidates is as follows: