Meghan Gallacher has become the first woman to enter the Scottish Conservative leadership contest.

Ms Gallacher is the third MSP to throw her hat into the ring in the race which follows Douglas Ross's announcement of his resignation during the general election campaign.

She joins Russell Findlay and Brian Whittle in bids to succeed Mr Ross. The winner will be unveiled on September 27.

Former councillor Ms Gallacher, 32, is an MSP for Central Scotland MSP and has been deputy leader for over two years and is seen as one of Holyrood’s rising stars since entering parliament in 2021.

In a video posted on X/Twitter this morning, she said: "The next few weeks will be important in shaping the future of our party.

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"Scotland knows what we stand against, but do they know what we stand for? This leadership election presents the opportunity for a reset, to renew our offering to the people of Scotland and to our membership who have stood by us, in good times, and the bad. We need to utilise our talents, build a stronger team, and look to the future."

"We need to create a modern centre right party that is focused on delivering for everyone in Scotland.

"We need policies that focus on people's pockets so they keep more of what they earn, the right to own a property, making sure that everyone has a roof over their heads, support for parents, raising their family, giving our pensioners security in later life and protection for every Scot so their rights and liberties are upheld.

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"We need a leader who understands the party, who is focused on winning hearts and minds, and is brave enough to tackle the big challenges our country faces, that is what my leadership would deliver.

"We need someone who can unite the party, who can reach out to people who have never thought of voting Scottish Conservatives before, I have the experience to do just that."

She added: "We need a leader who is bold, dynamic and fresh faced, who is proud to be Conservative."

The video included a clip from the Scottish Parliament website which Ms Gallacher later removed. It is against Holyrood rules for parliamentary videos to be used for political purposes.

"I recognise my launch video this morning included a clip from the Parliament website. The video has since been edited to ensure this clip has been removed. I have been delighted by the response to my original video by members right across the country and look forward to the campaign ahead," she later wrote on X.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “Parliamentary video should not be used for party political purposes or in advertising endorsements.”

Supporters believe Ms Gallacher would represent a fresh direction for the party and members may hope she has a similar galvanising effect as Ruth Davidson who was just a few days short of her 33rd birthday when she became party leader in 2011.

Writing in the Scottish Express last month, the MSP described the general election result as a “bitter blow” with the Tories dropping from six to five seats in Scotland and finishing behind right wing rivals Reform UK in several constituencies.

She admitted the party was “unprepared” for the Reform “surge” while it relied too heavily on “a ‘notoindyref2’ campaign that no longer resonates with voters”. But she also said there was now a “chance to rebuild the party both internally and externally”.

Mr Ross took many by surpise when he announced he would step down as leader midway through the recent general election campaign.

There had been unease in the party after he put himself forward as a candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, running instead of the incumbent MP David Duguid after party chiefs deemed him too ill to stand. Mr Ross lost the seat to the SNP.

Meanwhile, Mr Whittle wrote in The Telegraph that it is time to discuss ending free tuition and prescriptions in Scotland.

He said: “Having these conversations will be hard, not least because Labour and the SNP will see it as a golden opportunity to attack us, but I believe Scotland is ready to have those conversations.”

Having these difficult discussions will earn “respect” from voters, he added.

On Thursday, the Scottish Conservatives announced the timetable for the contest.

Nominations formally open on August 8 and close on August 22.

While the new Conservative UK leader and successor to Rishi Sunak will not be known until November 2, the Scottish party has set out a timeline which will see its latest leader unveiled on September 27.

Earlier today party chairman Craig Hoy, who was among the MSPs discussed as a possible candidate, announced he would not be standing.

"As the process formally gets underway, I confirm I am not going to contest the leadership election on this occasion, but intend to play a full and active part in the team effort required to deliver essential and effective Conservative representation in Holyrood in 2026," he wrote on X.

"As Scottish Party Chairman, I will not be declaring for any candidate, but wish my colleagues who do stand the very best as they set out their plans and policies."