Roseanna Cunningham has fallen victim to Alex Salmond's reshuffle

It is the first time the Perth MSP has vacated the front bench in 10 years.

She now becomes convener of Holyrood's health committee, while former leader John Swinney and Alex Neil are also nominated for committee convenerships.

Christine Grahame is handed the social justice position while Fergus Ewing takes the transport portfolio.

Ms Cunningham had been the deputy leader during Mr Swinney's time as party leader and she held the environment and rural affairs spokeswoman post.

Roseanna has outstanding talent Alex Salmond SNP leader

She came a distant second in the leadership race sparked by Mr Swinney's decision to stand down.

The loyalty of key campaign aides is rewarded with Richard Lochhead being given the environment spokesman post and Tricia Marwick becoming the SNP's business manager and chief whip.

Kenny MacAskill has been promoted to justice spokesman.

SNP cabinet Party leader - Alex Salmond Deputy leader - Nicola Sturgeon Business manager/chief whip - Tricia Marwick Business convener - Bruce Crawford Health -Shona Robison Education and lifelong learning - Fiona Hyslop Justice - Kenny MacAskill Environment, rural affairs, energy and fisheries - Richard Lochhead Social justice - Christine Grahame Transport, tourism and telecommunications - Fergus Ewing Enterprise and economy - Jim Mather Culture and sport - Michael Matheson Finance - Alasdair Morgan Work and pensions - Mike Weir Defence and international affairs - Angus Robertson European Union - Ian Hudghton Local government - Cllr David Alexander

Mr Salmond told the BBC's Politics Show that Ms Cunningham's "outstanding talent" would be put to good use in her new role.

The SNP leader said: "These are key, important committees of the Scottish Parliament and they need heavy-hitting politicians. We're offering three heavy-hitting politicians to convene them.

"It's the job of (deputy leader) Nicola Sturgeon and I to deploy the talent where we think is best.

"Roseanna has outstanding talent in that direction as do John and Alex Neil.

"What the SNP cabinet needs in terms of campaigning and policy formulation is the young turks coming in."

Referring to the cabinet, Mr Salmond said it represented every shade of opinion within the party.

Ms Sturgeon said: "This is a strong group, which not only combines youth and experience, but draws on the talents of elected representatives from every part of Scotland."

She said some of the shake-up would also place some of the party's "biggest hitters" in charge of powerful parliamentary committees.