Richard Lochhead (born May 24, 1969 in Paisley, Scotland) is a Scottish politician. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he was elected to the Scottish Parliament to represent North East Scotland at the 1999 election and re-elected in 2003. He worked for the former SNP leader, Alex Salmond, as his Office Manager in 1994-1998. May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... Paisley (Pàislig in Scottish Gaelic) is a large town, and former royal burgh in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... In Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish independence. ... For the national legislative body adjourned in 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... North East Scotland is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. ... The Scottish parliamentary election, 1999 was the first general election of the Scottish Parliament, with voting taking place on May 6, 1999. ... The Scottish parliamentary election, 2003, was the second general election of the Scottish Parliament. ... Alex Salmond MP Alexander Alex Elliot Anderson Salmond, born on Hogmanay, December 31, 1954 in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, is the leader (or National Convener) of the Scottish National Party (SNP). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII in Roman) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

Mr Lochhead currently holds the SNP's portfolios on Environment, Energy, Fishing and Rural Affairs.

In January 2006 he was selected as the SNP candidate for Moray ahead of the 2007 elections, following the announcement that Margaret Ewing MSP would be retiring.

Mr Lochhead is married to Fiona, and they live in Aberdeenshire with their young son Angus.