West End SNP supporters were out in force on Byres Road to meet First Minister Alex Salmond on Saturday ? in a pre-election walkabout designed to set the stage for what the nationalists reckon will be a landslide victory in Glasgow on Thursday.

Activists armed with balloons and leaflets clustered around Hillhead subway at least an hour before Mr Salmond?s arrival, and along with scores of shoppers who?d gathered to see what all the fuss was about raised a mighty cheer as Scotland?s most famous politician stepped out of the subway entrance into brilliant sunshine to meet a welcoming crowd.

Among well-known West Enders doing their best to give the SNP leader a rousing Hillhead reception was veteran author and journalist Ian Black (pictured here in Fedora and SNP tee-shirt), who said expectations were high of a resounding victory at the council polls.

Mr Salmond reluctantly declined an invitation from Ubiquitous Chip owner Colin Clydesdale to enjoy a drink at the iconic West End restaurant, and instead wended his way down Byres Road towards University Avenue, meeting and speaking to dozens of local people ? many of them clearly diehard SNP supporters ? on subjects ranging from university education to the economy.

Children were embraced, backs were slapped and hugs were freely given in the course of the West End?s biggest political celeb happening of recent years ? in a highly-charged and sometimes emotional display: the First Minister was treated to the sort of response usually reserved for visiting rock stars.

It was all in very marked contrast to the lacklustre reception given to Respect MP George Galloway during his brief and unsuccessful attempt to rekindle the embers of his one-time West End support a few years back.

Mr Galloway is now happily ensconced in Bradford, and Mr Salmond?s team are going for broke in the bid to seize his former Hillhead heartland ? local SNP MSP Sandra White, also present, reckons the city council and also UK parliamentary seats are now definite achievable goals.

Mr Salmond is the only high-profile politician to have visited the key West End election battleground in the run-up to the election thus far ? and on Saturday?s showing, and regardless of political preferences, it could be fairly concluded he would be a very tough act to follow.

by Roy Beers, 28th April, 2012