Alex Salmond

Mr Salmond is currently leader of the party at Westminster.

He stepped down as an MSP after resigning as the national leader of the SNP in 2000.

The former economist joined the party in 1973 and gradually rose up the ranks. He became a member of the NEC in 1981 and was elected vice convener of publicity in 1985.

By 1987 he was on the road to the leadership. That year he was elected MP for Banff and Buchan, as well as becoming deputy leader of the party, and in 1990 he won the overall leadership of the SNP.

He saw the party through the 1999 Scottish elections and stepped down as leader in a little over a year later.

Mr Salmond's departure was viewed at the time as surprising, but he said 10 years in the role was long enough.

The 49-year-old was a student at St Andrew's University and went on to become an economist before embarking on a career in politics.

Roseanna Cunningham

Ms Cunningham is the SNP's deputy leader and as environment and rural affairs spokeswoman is in the SNP's "cabinet".

She has represented Perth since winning the seat in a Westminster by-election in 1995, being a dual mandate MP/MSP until 2001.

She worked as a solicitor until she was called as an advocate in December 1990, and is still a member of the Faculty of Advocates.

In the Scottish Parliament, Ms Cunningham has been convener of the justice committee and held the justice portfolio for the SNP.

Mike Russell

Mr Russell was the SNP's chief executive and election campaign director from 1994 until his election in 1999.

He was a list MSP until the elections in May 2003 when he lost his South of Scotland seat.

He previously held the portfolios of education and culture and led a campaign in the Scottish Parliament to put Gaelic on an equal footing with English.

Mr Russell achieved a MA in Scottish History and Literature at Edinburgh University.

He has worked as a television producer and director and is a member of the Celtic Film and TV Association.

Since his defeat at the polls he has been concentrating on a writing career.