Former First Minister Alex Salmond has lost his Gordon seat in the House of Commons amid a surge to pro-union parties across Scotland.

The senior Nationalist is one of 20 SNP candidates who have failed to be re-elected.

Despite the losses the SNP have so far returned 33 MPs back to Westminster.

Salmond said: "The SNP won the election in Scotland and we'll be back to even better days in the future.

"You accept the election result and live to fight another day."

The party's leader Nicola Sturgeon said she was "disappointed by the SNP losses" but added the result was the second best ever for the party.

The SNP leader said: "This has been a disaster for Theresa May. She called an election clearly very arrogantly thinking she was going to crush the opposition, sweep everybody aside and cruise to a landslide majority.

"Her position I think is very, very difficult. We have to wait and see how things shake out. I've always said the SNP would want to be part of a progressive alternative to a Tory government.

"I'm disappointed at the SNP losses but I'm pleased that we've won the election."

Across the country pro-union parties have gained seats from the SNP.

Senior SNP MP Pete Wishart managed to withstand the swing to the Conservatives and held on to his Perth and North Perthshire seat with 21 votes.

In the central belt, Scottish Labour managed to reclaim a handful of seats back from the Nationalists.

Labour now have 7 seats north of border, an increase of six.

An exit poll released at the close of voting indicated the SNP were set to lose 22 seats at the election.

New Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson, who unseated the SNP in East Dunbartonshire, said: "I recognise all of those who put party allegiance to one side to send a clear message that East Dunbartonshire does not want another divisive independence referendum.

"Nicola Sturgeon, I hope you're listening."