EX-MSP Dennis Robertson is bidding for a return to politics as a candidate for the forthcoming council elections.
Robertson served Aberdeenshire West from 2011 until 2016, when he was succeeded by Tory Alexander Burnett.
Now the former social worker, who famously attended Holyrood with his guide dog Mr Q, aims to win a place on Aberdeenshire Council at the elections in May.
Robertson was nominated for the Stonehaven and Lower Deeside ward by local SNP members last month.
The four-member ward is currently represented by one member each from the Tories, LibDems, Labour and SNP. However, the nationalist incumbent Graeme Clark will retire at the vote.
The first blind politician elected to the Scottish Parliament, Robertson served on the Health and Sport Committee and was also the deputy convener of the energy, economy and tourism panel.
He also campaigned to raise awareness of eating disorders in the wake of the death of his teenage daughter Caroline in 2011.
Meanwhile, his “ambassadog” Mr Q, a German Shepherd, had his own Twitter following until his death in October. Followers came from across the chamber and beyond. Announcing the canine companion’s death, Robertson said: “He had a short but very playful retirement and will be very sorely missed.”
If successful in the upcoming vote, Robertson, who in January last year said there was “no crisis” in the North Sea oil and gas sector despite job losses, will be joined by his current guide dog, Murphy.
He said: “If elected, I believe I can use my experience as an MSP to deliver for the local community.
“My main priorities are to ensure that our children and young people get the best possible start in life and this means working together in closing the attainment gap and supporting those who want to go to college or university as well as encourage local business apprentice schemes.”
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