Times have been tough for the Liberal Democrats since joining the UK Coalition Government.
They have been battered at the ballot box and almost wiped out as an entity at the Scottish Parliament, reduced from 16 MSPs to just five.
But, speaking to The Courier ahead of the party’s conference in Dundee, Scottish leader Willie Rennie told of his desire to draw inspiration from a famous Fife figure in the Liberals’ past and his unease at being in cohorts with the Conservatives in London.
This year marks the centenary of former Liberal leader Jo Grimond’s birth in St Andrews. The son of a Dundee jute worker, Mr Rennie credits him with dragging the party in from the political fringes.
“He turned it into a mainstream party,” said Mr Rennie.
“He used to challenge on executive pay and was a very strong advocate of education. He was a man ahead of his time who made the Liberal Democrats what they are today; a mainstream party in Government.”
Mr Rennie concedes Government at Westminster has not been easy for the Lib Dems.
As well as weathering accusations of “selling out” from some quarters for joining the coalition, a series of scandals have hit the party, with David Laws resigning over expenses claims, former leadership contender Chris Huhne being jailed for perverting the course of justice and ex-chief executive Lord Rennard facing allegations he denies of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
However, Mr Rennie said he thinks people will come back to the party and understand members have faced “a lot of difficult decisions”.
He said: “Some people find it difficult to work with the Tories and I do too. They are not a natural ally we would have but needs must.
“I am glad we are in there stopping them do their worst. People see we are making a difference by cutting tax for those on low and middle incomes and balancing tax while delivering significant improvements in other areas.”
He added: “There are still a lot of people, even though they are disappointed, have not turned away completely and there are a lot of people who respect what we have done in Government.”
Mr Rennie said there are three areas he wants to focus on tackling in Scotland climate change, where he believes not enough is being done to meet targets, poverty and education.
He will also continue to campaign on extended nursery education for three-year-olds and more college funding.