[14] Roger (aka Rory) Winter, representing the Highland Green Party (Known in Scottish Gaelic as Uainich na Gàidhealtachd), was elected in Nairn.

[20] We had very little money, few activists outside Edinburgh and Glasgow, a tiny and damp national office, two paid staff members, and generally had to beg or borrow resources (including sometimes having to rely on the WiFi from the Pub across the road to send press releases)In the European Parliament election of 2004, it polled 6.8% of the vote and did not return any MEPs.

At its 2005 conference, then co-convenors Harper and Baird said the party had emerged as a "major new force in politics" and that they expected to hold the balance of power in the next Parliament, as well as elect councillors for the first time.

[26] Despite polls narrowing internally, Eddie Barnes suggested that the party remained confident, planning to be a king-maker and influence government from the outside.

Co-convenor Robin Harper blamed the loss on spoiled ballot papers and the campaign focusing on larger parties.

[29][30] In return, the SNP backed a climate change bill as an early measure and promised to legislate against ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.

Given the present situation that (the SNP) are going to be forming a minority government, it really didn't seem to make sense for us to tie ourselves closely into confidence and supply or into coalition, because we have serious reservations about many SNP policies, particularly their transport policiesDuring the election, co-convenor Shiona Baird lost her seat, and did not re-stand for election as co-convenor.

[36] The party's co-convenor Patrick Harvie blamed this on the government's funding proposal for the pilot being "too vague" on whether it would be "new money" or from pre-existing local authority budgets.

[45] There was scepticism in reporting on whether the proposals had been 'fully costed' but Harvie and Johnstone were both considered to be "impressive" candidates [46] During the campaign, Johnstone launched pledges to maintain free tuition fees, invest in graduate jobs in low carbon industry and create a free universal insulation scheme.

[54][55] Chapman had difficulty being recognised as equal to Harvie in the media, she commented to Common Weal's blog Source that "It’s galling when you hear mainstream media, who do know better, referring to Patrick as leader of the party.”[56] Influential party member Peter McCollargued that Chapman's election and subsequent role as lead candidate in the 2014 European Parliament election marked an increased socialist influence on the party.

[58][59] Briefly, the party withdrew from Yes Scotland, due to concerns it was dominated by the SNP, and its acceptance of the pound, monarchy and NATO membership.

And I think that the best way [...] of changing ScotlandHowever, in December, former convenor Robin Harper said that he would "absolutely vote No" in the independence referendum and offered his backing to the Better Together campaign, putting himself at odds with official party policy and its present leadership.

"[66] After the independence referendum, the Scottish Greens experienced a massive surge in membership, including future co-leader Lorna Slater.

The election was notable as it was the first time an incumbent co-convenor faced a serious challenge, all to date had been re-elected as the sole nominees.

The party's selection process of co-convenor Maggie Chapman as lead candidate in the North East Scotland region for the 2016 election attracted controversy.

In the leadup to the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the party campaigned with a focus on tax-rises for the rich, with co-convneor Patrick Harvie saying it would be “agenda item one” in any post-election talks with the SNP.

After the vote to Leave, co-leader Patrick Harvie argued that Scotland "must keep open every option for protecting ourselves from this threat"[90] Subsequently, the party began more strongly advocating for a second Scottish independence referendum.

The 2017 Scottish local elections saw 'real progress' with the party returning 14 councillors across Scotland, with 8 in the City of Edinburgh Council.

[95] The Scottish Greens contested the 2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom, with co-convenor Maggie Chapman as lead candidate and rising stars Lorna Slater and Gillian Mackay also on the list.

[101][102][103] The agreement will see both parties pledge for a second referendum on Scottish independence, an increase investment in active travel and public transport, enhancing tenants rights, a ten-year £500m Just Transition and establishing a National Care Service.

[104][105] Some commentators on the left praised the agreement for its commitments to railway decarbonisation, rent controls and a just transition fund for the North East of Scotland.

In openDemocracy, member Adam Ramsay argued that "beyond rent controls and tenants’ rights, few of the proposed ideas [in the agreement] mean picking real fights with people with much power."

[107] Outside the party, some commentators thought the agreement was too radical and thought the party was a "dangerous, extremist influence on [the] government" and it was condemned by the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour[108][109][110] Academic Professor Nicola McEwen suggested that the agreement "sometimes pushes [the SNP] further" particularly on climate, social and fair work policy.

[128][129] Co-leader Patrick Harvie called for a 'national debate' on the future of the monarchy[130] On 15 February 2023, Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, pending a leadership election.

[132] Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands Ariane Burgess said she had left a "solid foundation" to respond to the climate emergency and deliver independence.

[133] A key issue in the following leadership campaign became around the continuation of the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, with Humza Yousaf backing it, but Kate Forbes and Ash Regan criticising it.

At the party's spring conference, co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater declared that while they had "so much more to deliver" in government, they would not do so at "any cost".

[134][135][136] These comments were widely interpreted as meaning that the Scottish Greens would not support a government led by Forbes or Regan.

[137][138] This speculation was later confirmed by Harvie, stating that due to Forbes positions "[the power-sharing agreement] would need to be ended".

[145][146][147][148] The party also had impact in areas outwith its ministers' control, with the end of peak-time rail fares, increased funding for active travel and additional income tax bands for higher earners.