the least deprived parts of Scotland, with slight deprivation in the south-west of Huntly, and high rates of affluence elsewhere. Oil and agriculture form a significant part of the local economy, with tourist interests around Royal Deeside. The constituency also covers the Royal Lochnagar distillery located to the west of Royal Deeside. Voting patterns The Aberdeenshire West constituency was formed in 2011 from parts of the former constituencies of Gordon and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. From the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 until 2007 these constituencies were both represented by the Liberal Democrats. In 2007, Gordon was gained by the SNP's Alex Salmond, who served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 until 2014. In the 2012 local council election, the Conservative vote in areas covered by the Aberdeenshire West constituency tended to be strongest around Royal Deeside, covering the villages of Aboyne, Ballater and Banchory, and to a lesser extent around Westhill and its surrounding areas. The rural region of Garioch, situated along the River Don and its tributary streams, tended to be better for the SNP and Liberal Democrats. Member of the Scottish Parliament Election results 2020s 2010s References External links Politics of Aberdeenshire Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions from 2011 Constituencies established in 2011 Constituencies of the Scottish Parliament 2011 establishments in Scotland Huntly Ballater Banchory Kintore, Aberdeenshire