According to the vote tally for this General Election UKIP share of the vote was 12.6% (3,881,129 votes) which is greater than the totals for the SNP and the Liberal Democrats combined (SNP 4.7%, 1,454,436 & Lib-Dems 7.9% 2,415,888)

The interesting thing regarding voting in Scotland is that the SNP with their 1,454,436 would still not win a vote for independence as they still do not represent the majority of voters in Scotland.

"They also have the problem of a more elderly support base and membership. Time and demographics are not a friend to the Tories in Scotland"

Don't think so Scotland's population is aging at the moment something like 40% of the working population are paying for 23% of the population drawing state pensions, in 15 years time provided unemployment remains the same 40% of the working population will be supporting 39% of the population who are qualified to draw a state pension.

This election and the surge in SNP membership has given the SNP a number of problems

1: Their presence at Westminster is of no consequence, all the boasts (Mainly by Alex Salmond) about the SNP writing the UK Budget is all hot air.

2: The surge in membership in the aftermath of the independence referendum will demand and expect a second referendum on independence during the term of the 2016 Scottish Parliament and there will be hell to pay if that is denied

3: They will undoubtedly win the Scottish Parliamentary elections in 2016 and this time the Government of Scotland will have to use the powers they have to address what they see as "Scottish" problems - just sitting back and blaming Westminster is no longer an option. They can hardly demand greater fiscal autonomy and greater tax raising powers if they are not prepared to use what powers they currently possess. That will mean increasing taxes for those living in Scotland and we will see what that does for their "popularity".