After all the drama and excitement of the Scottish independence referendum, you’d be forgiven for thinking that things might have died down in recent weeks, but far from it!

Following the very sad death of Alex McLean, a real champion for the town, it was both extraordinary and moving to hear that Alex’s wife Grace was putting her name forward for the vacant seat. Grace, well known for her role as director of trustees at Haylie House Nursing Home, seemed the SNP’s ideal choice.

However, the North Coast and Cumbraes by-election then provided some extra sugar and spice, with local business lady Toni Dawson, as a surprise candidate for the Conservatives.

The Tories were certainly quick off their marks, visiting the ‘News’ office on an official meet and greet, and putting down a marker.

And then on the day of Drew Cochrane’s retirement as editor of the Largs and Millport Weekly News, he announced to one and all that he was going to be standing for the by-election. The man is a walking newspaper story, I am convinced of it!

Drew, who modelled himself on David Dimbleby during the recent referendum debate at the Vikingar, was now effectively switching seats, and standing as an independent.

The smart money for Labour’s selection was Valerie Reid, a regular campaigner over the years, and sure enough, she was put forward by the party which went on to have a tumultuous time with the resignation of Johann Lamont as Scottish leader.

The reverberations are going to be flying around for a while yet as Labour face a major battle on their hands to re-group in the coming months.

So everything seemed settled, and then, we heard that UKIP were standing for the by-election.

The twittersphere was going into overdrive as suddenly the controversial party was gathering a momentum on social media.

A poster even appeared on our Twitter feed showing a scoop of purple ice cream being lifted, stating “A fresh new flavour for Largs and Millport - vote Meilan Henderson UKIP’. However, there was to be no knickerbocker glory for Farage’s followers who were well and truly licked come the final count.

On the night itself, some political supporters even turned up dressed as witches on the eve of Halloween at Largs Academy!

But would we have the result in time for pumpkin time at midnight?

Given there was so much at stake at North Ayrshire Council, with this one seat deciding the outcome of the ruling administration, thrills and spills were expected!

As a former pupil, I was intrigued upon walking into the assembly hall which had been transformed into a fully functioning election venue. Computers, counting booths, and the stage were all set up for the returning officer Elma Murray to announce the final result to the crowd. There was real excitement in the hall which was packed as the count was underway shortly after 10pm.

Academy pupils and head teacher Heather Burns were once again present, having attended the referendum count, keeping an eye on proceedings, while all the political big-hitters appeared including North Ayrshire MP Katy Clark, vying for deputy Scottish Labour leader, and Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson. And many councillors from throughout North Ayrshire also turned up, intrigued to see who was going to take the hotseat.

The early signs were that the SNP were doing well, and indeed, so it proved, as Grace McLean edged to victory, but it was closer than expected, with my former boss Drew putting up a commendable fight to finish 2nd - it was the Peugeot v the Juggernaut as he described it - ‘man against machine’. Toni Dawson finished third for the Conservatives, and Valerie Reid was fourth for Labour.

The result was announced just moments before midnight, and as the SNP celebrated, we tracked down Grace McLean for what turned out to be an emotional interview.

With tears in her eyes, she described to me the special legacy that Alex had left behind, and she was wearing his ring, chain and watch. “Alex was with me all the way,” she said.

And during her acceptance speech, Grace said: “It has been a really long day - three pairs of shoes later, and I am still on stiletto heels!” Indeed, Grace and her heels will be following in Alex’s footsteps in an exciting time in politics, locally and nationally, and the Academy was buzzing on the night.