The SNP's income soared last year to more than double the total recorded in the previous Holyrood election year of 2007.
The party brought in £5.03 million in 2011 compared with £1.8 million in 2010 and £2.5 million at the previous peak five years ago, according to the Electoral Commission.
Last year the party spent £3.4 million, another record total, up from £2.1 million in 2010.
The SNP received high-profile donations including the gift of almost £1 million from the late national poet Edwin Morgan. A further £1 million was donated by Europe's biggest lottery winners, Colin and Chris Weir from Largs in Ayrshire.
In contrast, the UK Conservative Party's income almost halved, dropping by almost £20 million to its lowest level since 2003, to £23.7 million.
