It is often referred to as “that picture” an image that captured the moment of a shaken, defeated Alex Salmond apparently in the depth of despair, his life’s dream shattered.
But all is not as it seemed, according to Mr Salmond.
At 3am he was being driven to Aberdeen Airport to board a private jet to Edinburgh.
As his driver approached the runway, a photographer who had guessed the SNP leader might make an appearance snapped him through a back seat window.
Within hours the image was in newsrooms across the world, dominating front pages and websites. Commentators said it captured a look of complete disappointment etched on the First Minister’s face.
Three months on, it’s an image that still angers Mr Salmond and it is he who brings it up during the interview.
“I wasn’t best pleased as I would have stepped out of the car for a picture if they had asked,” he said.
Animated and irritable he explains that he was concentrating on the the results coming in on his iPad when the shot was taken. And he gets me to dig out my own tablet to demonstrate how the light from it reflects on his face.
He holds it up shaking it back and forward towards himself to prove his point.
“The pallid expression is the reflection of the iPad,” he exclaims.
But quickly he concedes defeat and sighs, as he realises that he’s unlikely to change anyone’s mind about it.
“In saying that, I was devastated by the result, absolutely,” he said.