Also, however, it was one of nine constituencies in the North East Scotland electoral region, which elects seven additional members, in addition to nine constituency MSPs, to produce a form of proportional representation for the region as a whole.

Until the 2011 election, the other eight constituencies of the North East Scotland region were: Aberdeen Central, Aberdeen North, Aberdeen South, Angus, Dundee East, Dundee West, Gordon and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine The region covers the Aberdeenshire council area, the Aberdeen City council area, the Dundee City council area, part of the Angus council area, a small part of the Moray council area and a small part of the Perth and Kinross council area.

In 2005, however, the boundaries of the Westminster (House of Commons) constituency were subject to some alteration.

The Holyrood constituency covered a northern portion of the Aberdeenshire council area.

Gordon also covered a small eastern portion of the Moray council area.