The Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats suffered a sharp fall in donations last year, according to figures released by the official election watchdog.
The Electoral Commission reported the biggest drop in donations was suffered by the SNP, which received £550,523 last year less than a fifth of the £2,820,727 donated in 2011.
The SNP’s donations in 2011 were boosted by a £917,739 bequest from the poet Edwin Morgan and £1 million from Euromillions lottery winners Colin and Christine Weir.
The Lib Dems received £2,481,707 in 2012 down from 2011’s £4,161,018.
In contrast, donations to the other two main parties held up well, with the Conservatives receiving £13,801,282 only slightly down on their 2011 total of £14,230,027.
Labour was up marginally, with £12,036,055 against £11,963,093 the year before.
Labour said detailed figures from the final quarter of 2012 showed the Conservatives received £713,786.09 from donors who attended meals with David Cameron and other ministers.
The Tories in turn said 72% of Labour’s quarter four donations £1,873,543 came from the trade unions.
