Before the independence referendum, young Scots were often seen as disconnected from politics. But when voters aged 16-17 were handed the vote for the first time, around 80% of eligible under-18s signed up.
Three years later, we have a 22-year-old MP in Mhairi Black, a 22-year-old MSP in Ross Greer and an 18-year-old Labour candidate, Eli Aldridge, standing for Westminster. But what is most noticeable is the upsurge in young representation at local level.
In this month's council elections every major party had several candidates aged under 30 elected, some barely out of school.
Euan Blockley, Conservative councillor for Glasgow's Linn Ward, is now the youngest elected representative in Scotland. The 19-year-old only joined the party last year but was backed unanimously by his party's local branch when he stepped forward to run.
He said: “I first got involved because of the independence referendum and supported the Better Together campaign straightaway.
“But it was last year when I got more and more into politics. I was constantly watching PMQs and Question Time and Daily Politics – my Mum was getting sick of it because it's all I would talk about. Then I joined the Conservatives because I thought Ruth Davidson was the leader defending the union.”
Davidson was also a catalyst for the decision of Springburn and Robroyston councillor Christina Cannon to enter politics. She is also 19, but represents the SNP.
“Ruth Davidson and the MSP Sandra Whyte had a debate in my school. I was undecided until that debate, but after hearing their arguments and doing some research I swung to a definite Yes to independence," she said.
“Seeing the impact this Tory government has on Scotland and the lack of powers the Scottish Government has to mitigate how vulnerable people are affected convinced me.”
Cannon decided to run for her ward only six weeks before the election. “It's an area with a high level of poverty,” she said. “I understand that and relate to it so when it came to these elections I wanted to be involved. The responses on the door were fantastic, but I was still slightly in shock when I won."
The referendum was not the starting point for every young candidate. Ben Lawrie, 22, joined the Liberal Democrats in 2013 after developing an interest during university.
Elected in the Monifeith and Sidlaw seat on Angus Council, he said working to improve mental health provision is among his key priorities.
“I was prepared for age to be a barrier and for people to say I was wet behind the ears, but when they saw me running an upbeat social media campaign I think they saw that someone with a fresh face and a lot of energy could be good here.”
Adam Wilson, 21-year-old Labour councillor for Annandale North, is another fresh face who believes energy and ideas were vital reasons he was elected. "Some people on the doorstep question my age and asked 'would you manage it?' But I think I have a good understanding of the issues that affect people here.”
This article was first printed in The Scotland on Sunday on Sunday 14 May 2017.
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