Highland Council - Wards and Councillors

Scottish council · Scotland · 74 seats in 21 wards · All seats elected every five years · Next election 6 May 2027

Highland Council is run by an SNP / Independent coalition. The council has 74 councillors in 21 wards. Seats by party: Other 28, SNP 18, Lib Dem 16, Conservative 6, Green 3, Labour 2, Reform 1. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

Control

Seats by party

SNP / Independent Coalition

74 seats - 38 for a majority

Reform 1Labour 2Conservative 6Lib Dem 16Green 3SNP 18Other 28

Seat changes since the 5 May 2022 election Other +7 Reform +1 Lib Dem +1 Green −1 Conservative −4 SNP −4

Vote share at the 5 May 2022 election (74 seats, all wards)

ShareSeats won

SNP30.1%22

Other26.6%21

Lib Dem19.7%15

Conservative14.6%10

Labour5.0%2

Green4.0%4

Next election

6 May 2027

all 74 seats up, then every five years

Largest group

Independents and others 28

10 short of the 38 needed for a majority

Latest by-election

Wick and East Caithness

Lib Dem gain from Independent, 1 October 2026 (13 since 2021)

Constituencies

1 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

44%

GB 52%

Wards

Who holds each ward

Lib DemSNPIndependent

Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.

All 21 wards

Councillors and last results

Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.

Ward and councillors	Last election
Aird and Loch Ness Emma Knox, Chris Ballance, David Fraser, Helen Crawford	5 May 2022 SNP 26.2% lead 3.5 pts
Badenoch and Strathspey John Bruce, Muriel Cockburn, Russell Jones, Bill Lobban	5 May 2022 Independent 23.2% lead 0.5 pts
Black Isle Sarah Atkin, Lyndsey Johnston, Morven-May MacCallum	5 May 2022 SNP 24.9% lead 9.2 pts
Caol and Mallaig John Grafton, Sammy Cameron, Liz Saggers	5 May 2022 Uncontested
Cromarty Firth Sinclair Coghill, Tamala Collier, Richard Cross, John Edmondson	5 May 2022 SNP 29.1% lead 1.2 pts
Culloden and Ardersier Trish Robertson, Morven Reid, Glynis Sinclair	5 May 2022 SNP 37.6% lead 19.7 pts
Dingwall and Seaforth Angela MacLean, Sean Kennedy, Graham MacKenzie, Margaret Paterson	5 May 2022 SNP 32.2% lead 15.5 pts
East Sutherland and Edderton John Murray, Richard Gale, Leslie-Anne Niven	5 May 2022 Lib Dem 35.8% lead 9.3 pts
Eilean a′ Cheò Ruraidh Stewart, Drew Millar, John Finlayson, Christine Gillies	5 May 2022 Independent 32.1% lead 9.5 pts
Fort William and Ardnamurchan Kate Willis, Thomas MacLennan, Matthew Prosser, Andrew Baxter	5 May 2022 Lib Dem 37.5% lead 4.0 pts
Inverness Central Kate MacLean, Michael Cameron, Michael Gregson	5 May 2022 SNP 41.3% lead 17.2 pts
Inverness Millburn David Gregg, Ian Brown, Isabelle MacKenzie	5 May 2022 SNP 40.8% lead 17.0 pts
Inverness Ness-side Jackie Hendry, Alasdair Christie, Andrew MacKintosh	5 May 2022 Lib Dem 44.5% lead 15.3 pts
Inverness South Ken Gowans, Duncan Macpherson, Duncan McDonald, Andrew Sinclair	5 May 2022 SNP 35.2% lead 10.4 pts
Inverness West Bill Boyd, Ryan MacKintosh, Alex Graham	5 May 2022 Lib Dem 34.2% lead 3.0 pts
Nairn and Cawdor Laurie Fraser, Paul Oldham, Barbara Jarvie, Michael Green	5 May 2022 SNP 27.2% lead 3.6 pts
North, West and Central Sutherland Michael Baird, Marianne Hutchison, Hugh Morrison	5 May 2022 SNP 35.1% lead 7.1 pts
Tain and Easter Ross Connie Ramsay, Laura Dundas, Maureen Ross	5 May 2022 SNP 30.6% lead 9.1 pts
Thurso and Northwest Caithness Struan Mackie, Matthew Reiss, Karl Rosie, Ron Gunn	5 May 2022 Lib Dem 27.5% lead 7.1 pts
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Chris Birt, Liz Kraft, Patrick Logue, Isabelle Campbell	5 May 2022 SNP 41.1% lead 12.4 pts
Wick and East Caithness Andrew Jarvie, Jan McEwan, Raymond Bremner, Julie Calder	5 May 2022 Lib Dem 29.8% lead 4.5 pts

Aird and Loch Ness

Chris Ballance Scottish GreenDavid Fraser IndependentEmma Knox SNPHelen Crawford Conservative

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

SNP26.2%

Independent22.7%

Conservative21.1%

Scottish Green10.2%

Independent8.3%

Lib Dem6.6%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Emma Knox Elected	SNP	1,364	26.2%
David Fraser Elected	Independent	1,182	22.7%
Helen Crawford Elected	Conservative	1,099	21.1%
Chris Ballance Elected	Scottish Green	528	10.2%
Aarron Duncan-MacLeod	Independent	430	8.3%
Holly Kingham	Lib Dem	342	6.6%
Michael Robert Perera	Labour	253	4.9%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Badenoch and Strathspey

Bill Lobban IndependentJohn Bruce ConservativeMuriel Cockburn SNPRussell Jones Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

Independent23.2%

SNP22.7%

Conservative15.6%

Independent15.2%

Scottish Green10.3%

Lib Dem8.8%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Russell Jones Elected	Independent	1,280	23.2%
Muriel Cockburn Elected	SNP	886	16.0%
John Bruce Elected	Conservative	861	15.6%
Bill Lobban Elected	Independent	842	15.2%
Pippa Hadley	Scottish Green	568	10.3%
Declan Gallacher	Lib Dem	489	8.8%
Dave Fallows	SNP	371	6.7%
Charlie Whelan	Labour	232	4.2%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Black Isle

Lyndsey Johnston SNPMorven-May MacCallum Lib DemSarah Atkin Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

SNP24.9%

Lib Dem15.7%

Conservative14.8%

Independent13.5%

Scottish Green13.3%

Independent6.7%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Lyndsey Johnston Elected	SNP	1,171	24.9%
Morven May MacCallum Elected	Lib Dem	739	15.7%
Theo Stratton	Conservative	695	14.8%
Sarah Atkin Elected	Independent	634	13.5%
Anne Thomas	Scottish Green	624	13.3%
Okain John Mclennan	Independent	317	6.7%
Bev Smith	Independent	286	6.1%
Margaret Bryant	Labour	243	5.2%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Caol and Mallaig

John Grafton IndependentLiz Saggers ConservativeSammy Cameron Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

Uncontested. Elected: Andrew Baldrey (Scottish Green), John Colin Grafton (Lib Dem), Liz Saggers (Conservative).

Last by-election, 25 September 2025

Independent36.3%

Independent30.3%

Lib Dem16.9%

SNP8.7%

Reform4.9%

Independent1.3%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Sammy Cameron Elected	Independent	867	36.3%
Allan Henderson	Independent	723	30.3%
Isla Maev Campbell	Lib Dem	404	16.9%
Aaron Taylor	SNP	207	8.7%
Ryan Andrew Forbes	Reform	116	4.9%
Matthew Prosser	Independent	30	1.3%
Michael Robert Perera	Labour	25	1.0%
Donald MacKenzie	Conservative	18	0.8%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Cromarty Firth

John Edmondson Lib DemRichard Cross IndependentSinclair Coghill IndependentTamala Collier SNP

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

SNP29.1%

Lib Dem27.9%

Independent17.5%

Independent7.3%

Conservative6.7%

Labour4.2%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Tamala Collier Elected	SNP	1,127	29.1%
Molly Nolan Elected	Lib Dem	1,079	27.9%
Pauline Munro Elected	Independent	679	17.5%
Maxine Morley-Smith Elected	Independent	283	7.3%
Andrew Phillip Baxter	Conservative	261	6.7%
Kirsty Stewart	Labour	162	4.2%
Kate Stevenson	Independent	122	3.2%
Daniel Reat	Scottish Green	112	2.9%
Eric Fraser	Independent	45	1.2%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 19 June 2025

SNP23.8%

Independent21.1%

Independent15.4%

Reform14.6%

Lib Dem12.2%

Scottish Green3.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Odette MacDonald	SNP	568	23.8%
Richard James Cross Elected	Independent	503	21.1%
Martin Rattray	Independent	368	15.4%
Allan MacDonald	Reform	348	14.6%
Ross Costigane	Lib Dem	290	12.2%
Anne Thomas	Scottish Green	92	3.9%
Steve Chisholm	Alba	91	3.8%
Michael Robert Perera	Labour	77	3.2%
Ryan Andrew Forbes	Conservative	48	2.0%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Culloden and Ardersier

Glynis Sinclair SNPMorven Reid IndependentTrish Robertson Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

SNP37.6%

Conservative17.9%

Independent15.3%

Lib Dem15.3%

Labour10.1%

Alba3.3%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Glynis Campbell-Sinclair Elected	SNP	1,542	37.6%
Mary Scanlon	Conservative	732	17.9%
Morven Reid Elected	Independent	626	15.3%
Trish Robertson Elected	Lib Dem	626	15.3%
Steven Calvert	Labour	413	10.1%
Mya Chemonges-Murzynowska	Alba	137	3.3%
Mel Robertson	Independent	24	0.6%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Dingwall and Seaforth

Angela MacLean Lib DemGraham MacKenzie SNPMargaret Paterson IndependentSean Kennedy Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

SNP32.2%

Lib Dem16.7%

Independent15.0%

Conservative14.0%

Independent12.9%

Labour4.7%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Graham Alexander MacKenzie Elected	SNP	1,494	32.2%
Angela Maclean Elected	Lib Dem	773	16.7%
Margaret Paterson Elected	Independent	698	15.0%
Gavin Berkenheger	Conservative	650	14.0%
Sean Edward Kennedy Elected	Independent	599	12.9%
Les Hood	Labour	216	4.7%
Thomas Widrow	Scottish Green	210	4.5%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

East Sutherland and Edderton

John Murray IndependentLeslie-Anne Niven SNPRichard Gale Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

Lib Dem35.8%

SNP26.5%

Independent19.0%

Conservative17.0%

Scottish Libertarian Party1.6%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Richard Gordon Gale Elected	Lib Dem	1,151	35.8%
Leslie-anne Niven Elected	SNP	853	26.5%
Jim McGillivray Elected	Independent	611	19.0%
Max Bannerman	Conservative	546	17.0%
Harry Christian	Scottish Libertarian Party	53	1.6%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 25 June 2026

Independent40.2%

Lib Dem32.9%

SNP17.4%

Reform7.2%

Conservative2.3%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
John Murray Elected	Independent	1,044	40.2%
Eric De Venny	Lib Dem	854	32.9%
Rebecca Machin	SNP	452	17.4%
Jay Ayrey	Reform	188	7.2%
Eva Short	Conservative	59	2.3%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Eilean a′ Cheò

Christine Gillies IndependentDrew Millar SNPJohn Finlayson IndependentRuraidh Stewart Conservative

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

Independent32.1%

SNP22.6%

Independent12.9%

Conservative10.7%

Independent5.7%

Independent5.3%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
John Finlayson Elected	Independent	1,450	32.1%
Drew Millar Elected	SNP	1,019	22.6%
Calum Munro Elected	Independent	583	12.9%
Ruraidh Stewart Elected	Conservative	485	10.7%
Fay Thomson	Independent	258	5.7%
Donald Macdonald	Independent	240	5.3%
Hector Macleod	Alba	166	3.7%
Jack Clark	Lib Dem	157	3.5%
Peter O'Donnghaile	Labour	157	3.5%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 19 June 2025

Independent23.5%

Lib Dem21.1%

Independent18.7%

SNP15.0%

Independent7.9%

Scottish Green6.8%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Christine Gilles Elected	Independent	823	23.5%
Fay Thomson	Lib Dem	741	21.1%
Campbell Dickson	Independent	655	18.7%
Màrtainn Mac a' Bhàillidh	SNP	527	15.0%
Jonathan MacDonald	Independent	276	7.9%
Katy Lawrence	Scottish Green	239	6.8%
John William Coupland	Reform	157	4.5%
George MacPherson	Conservative	86	2.5%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Fort William and Ardnamurchan

Andrew Baxter Lib DemKate Willis Scottish GreenMatthew Prosser Lib DemThomas MacLennan Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

Lib Dem37.5%

SNP33.5%

Conservative10.1%

Scottish Green9.6%

Independent9.3%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Angus MacDonald Elected	Lib Dem	1,500	37.5%
Sarah Fanet Elected	SNP	1,341	33.5%
Fiona Fawcett	Conservative	404	10.1%
Kate Willis Elected	Scottish Green	385	9.6%
Thomas Maclennan Elected	Independent	373	9.3%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 11 December 2025

Lib Dem40.4%

SNP29.1%

Reform9.6%

Scottish Green9.4%

Conservative7.6%

Labour3.8%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Matthew Prosser Elected	Lib Dem	925	40.4%
Norrie MacLean	SNP	665	29.1%
Allan MacDonald	Reform	220	9.6%
Ollie Crookwood	Scottish Green	216	9.4%
Julia Peill	Conservative	175	7.6%
Michael Robert Perera	Labour	87	3.8%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Inverness Central

Kate MacLean SNPMichael Cameron SNPMichael Gregson Labour

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

SNP41.3%

Labour24.1%

Conservative12.8%

Scottish Green7.5%

Lib Dem6.4%

Independent4.3%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Bet McAllister Elected	Labour	793	24.1%
Michael Cameron Elected	SNP	769	23.4%
Kate MacLean Elected	SNP	589	17.9%
Donald MacKenzie	Conservative	420	12.8%
Arun Sharma	Scottish Green	245	7.5%
Martin Rattray	Lib Dem	211	6.4%
Andrew Barnett	Independent	141	4.3%
Sean Robertson	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	47	1.4%
John William McColl	Scottish Family Party	45	1.4%
Luigi Andrew MacKinnon	Independent	26	0.8%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 26 September 2024

SNP32.1%

Labour27.9%

Lib Dem16.7%

Scottish Green9.2%

Conservative8.7%

Reform5.4%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Martin MacGregor	SNP	551	32.1%
Michael Gregson Elected	Labour	479	27.9%
Chris Lewcock	Lib Dem	286	16.7%
Andrew Barnett	Scottish Green	158	9.2%
Donald MacKenzie	Conservative	150	8.7%
Iain Richmond	Reform	93	5.4%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Inverness Millburn

David Gregg Lib DemIan Brown SNPIsabelle MacKenzie Conservative

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

SNP40.8%

Lib Dem23.8%

Conservative21.6%

Labour13.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Ian Brown Elected	SNP	1,430	40.8%
David Gregg Elected	Lib Dem	835	23.8%
Isabelle MacKenzie Elected	Conservative	757	21.6%
Lewis Whyte	Labour	486	13.9%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Inverness Ness-side

Alasdair Christie Lib DemAndrew MacKintosh LabourJackie Hendry SNP

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

Lib Dem44.5%

SNP29.2%

Conservative8.7%

Labour6.4%

Independent5.6%

Scottish Green5.2%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Alasdair Christie Elected	Lib Dem	1,934	44.5%
Jackie Hendry Elected	SNP	1,270	29.2%
Ric Scott	Conservative	379	8.7%
Andrew Mackintosh Elected	Labour	276	6.4%
Ron MacWilliam	Independent	243	5.6%
Claire Maclean	Scottish Green	226	5.2%
Calum Mark Liptrot	Scottish Libertarian Party	18	0.4%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Inverness South

Andrew Sinclair IndependentDuncan Macpherson IndependentDuncan McDonald IndependentKen Gowans SNP

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

SNP35.2%

Independent24.8%

Conservative16.9%

Lib Dem8.6%

Labour7.3%

Scottish Green5.4%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Ken Gowans Elected	SNP	1,949	35.2%
Duncan Macpherson Elected	Independent	1,375	24.8%
Andrew Sinclair Elected	Conservative	936	16.9%
Colin Aitken Elected	Lib Dem	478	8.6%
David Jardine	Labour	402	7.3%
Claire Filer	Scottish Green	299	5.4%
Jimmy Duncan	Alba	104	1.9%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 11 April 2024

Independent22.1%

Lib Dem19.7%

SNP19.4%

Conservative16.1%

Labour11.0%

Scottish Green7.2%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Duncan McDonald Elected	Independent	730	22.1%
Jonathan Chartier	Lib Dem	652	19.7%
Gordon Shanks	SNP	641	19.4%
Ryan Andrew Forbes	Conservative	533	16.1%
Ron Stevenson	Labour	364	11.0%
Arun Sharma	Scottish Green	237	7.2%
Jimmy Duncan	Alba	107	3.2%
Andrew Ross MacDonald	Sovereignty	41	1.2%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Inverness West

Alex Graham Lib DemBill Boyd SNPRyan MacKintosh Scottish Green

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

Lib Dem34.2%

SNP31.2%

Conservative9.3%

Labour8.4%

Scottish Green7.5%

Independent4.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Alex Graham Elected	Lib Dem	1,198	34.2%
Bill Boyd Elected	SNP	1,092	31.2%
Ryan Andrew Forbes	Conservative	327	9.3%
Shaun Alexander Fraser	Labour	295	8.4%
Ryan Mackintosh Elected	Scottish Green	262	7.5%
Duncan McDonald	Independent	173	4.9%
Helen Smith	Independent	100	2.9%
Iain Cullens Forsyth	Independence for Scotland Party	46	1.3%
David Sansum	Independent	10	0.3%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Nairn and Cawdor

Barbara Jarvie ConservativeLaurie Fraser IndependentMichael Green IndependentPaul Oldham SNP

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

SNP27.2%

Independent23.6%

Independent16.6%

Conservative16.2%

Lib Dem10.5%

Independent3.7%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Paul Oldham Elected	SNP	1,401	27.2%
Laurie Fraser Elected	Independent	1,215	23.6%
Michael Green Elected	Independent	857	16.6%
Barbara Babs Jarvie Elected	Conservative	836	16.2%
Kevin James Reid	Lib Dem	540	10.5%
Kevin Brooks	Independent	192	3.7%
Marjory Smith	Alba	77	1.5%
Cal MacLeod	Scottish Family Party	38	0.7%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

North, West and Central Sutherland

Hugh Morrison IndependentMarianne Hutchison SNPMichael Baird Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

SNP35.1%

Lib Dem28.0%

Independent17.3%

Conservative11.0%

Labour3.9%

Scottish Family Party2.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Marianne Hutchison Elected	SNP	968	35.1%
Michael Baird Elected	Lib Dem	773	28.0%
Hugh Morrison Elected	Independent	477	17.3%
Charlotte Gibson	Conservative	302	11.0%
Clive Soley	Labour	108	3.9%
Philipp Tanzer	Scottish Family Party	80	2.9%
Robert Alan Jardine	For Future's Sake - Freedom Alliance	48	1.7%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Tain and Easter Ross

Connie Ramsay Lib DemLaura Dundas IndependentMaureen Ross Independent

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (3 seats)

SNP30.6%

Lib Dem21.5%

Independent21.1%

Independent16.1%

Conservative10.6%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Derek Louden Elected	SNP	1,051	30.6%
Sarah Rawlings Elected	Lib Dem	739	21.5%
Alasdair Rhind Elected	Independent	726	21.1%
Fiona Robertson	Independent	554	16.1%
Veronica Morrison	Conservative	364	10.6%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 25 September 2025

Lib Dem38.8%

Independent28.4%

SNP14.8%

Reform12.9%

Scottish Green3.2%

Conservative1.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Connie Ramsay Elected	Lib Dem	935	38.8%
Eric Nimmons	Independent	686	28.4%
Peter Newman	SNP	356	14.8%
Stuart Wilson	Reform	312	12.9%
Andrew Barnett	Scottish Green	78	3.2%
Manuel Androulakakis	Conservative	45	1.9%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Thurso and Northwest Caithness

Karl Rosie IndependentMatthew Reiss IndependentRon Gunn Lib DemStruan Mackie Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

Lib Dem27.5%

Independent20.4%

SNP18.4%

Conservative17.9%

Independent12.8%

Independent2.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Ron Gunn Elected	Lib Dem	1,411	27.5%
Matthew Reiss Elected	Independent	1,049	20.4%
Karl Rosie Elected	SNP	947	18.4%
Struan Mackie Elected	Conservative	921	17.9%
Iain Gregory	Independent	660	12.8%
Alexander Glasgow	Independent	151	2.9%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh

Chris Birt IndependentIsabelle Campbell IndependentLiz Kraft SNPPatrick Logue Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

SNP41.1%

Independent28.7%

Conservative17.3%

Lib Dem12.9%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Biz Campbell Elected	Independent	1,552	28.7%
Liz Kraft Elected	SNP	1,234	22.8%
Christopher Birt Elected	SNP	988	18.3%
Patrick Logue Elected	Conservative	937	17.3%
Margot Kerr	Lib Dem	700	12.9%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Wick and East Caithness

Andrew Jarvie ReformJan McEwan Lib DemJulie Calder Lib DemRaymond Bremner SNP

Last scheduled election, 5 May 2022 (4 seats)

Lib Dem29.8%

SNP25.3%

Conservative15.1%

Independent12.8%

Independent10.5%

Labour6.5%

Candidate	Party	First prefs	Share
Jan Mcewan Elected	Lib Dem	1,245	29.8%
Raymond Bremner Elected	SNP	1,059	25.3%
Andrew Jarvie Elected	Conservative	632	15.1%
A.I. Willie Mackay Elected	Independent	534	12.8%
Bill Fernie	Independent	438	10.5%
Neil Macdonald	Labour	272	6.5%

Party shares are of first-preference votes.

Last by-election, 1 October 2026

Vote counts are not available for this contest. Elected: Julie Calder (Lib Dem).

Councillors

Changed party since the election

7 councillors now sit for a different party from the one they were elected for.

Ward	Councillor	Elected as	Now
Caol and Mallaig	John Grafton	Lib Dem 2022	Independent
Inverness South	Andrew Sinclair	Conservative 2022	Independent
North, West and Central Sutherland	Michael Baird	Lib Dem 2022	Independent
Thurso and Northwest Caithness	Karl Rosie	SNP 2022	Independent
Thurso and Northwest Caithness	Struan Mackie	Conservative 2022	Lib Dem
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh	Patrick Logue	Conservative 2022	Lib Dem
Wick and East Caithness	Andrew Jarvie	Conservative 2022	Reform

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

13 by-elections since July 2021, 7 of them gains.

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
1 October 2026	Wick and East Caithness	Lib Dem gain from Independent	50.4%
25 June 2026	East Sutherland & Edderton	Independent gain from Independent
11 December 2025	Fort William & Ardnamurchan	Lib Dem gain from SNP	40.4%
25 September 2025	Caol and Mallaig	Independent gain from Green
25 September 2025	Tain & Easter Ross	Lib Dem gain from SNP	38.8%
19 June 2025	Cromarty Firth	Independent hold
19 June 2025	Eilean a Cheo	Independent hold
21 November 2024	Fort William and Ardnamurchan	Lib Dem hold
26 September 2024	Cromarty Firth	Independent hold
26 September 2024	Inverness Central	Labour hold	27.9%
13 June 2024	Tain and Easter Ross	Independent hold
13 April 2024	Inverness South	Independent gain from Lib Dem
28 September 2023	Tain and Easter Ross	Independent gain from Lib Dem

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire		Lib Dem	SNP 34%

Scottish councils: seats are listed without shares. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.

People

Who lives in Highland

104,883 residents in 50,053 households

Voted Leave in 2016

44% 8 below GB

Degree or higher

45% 11 above GB

No qualifications

16% 2 below GB

Own their home

66% 5 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

20% 3 above GB

Rent privately

12% 8 below GB

Aged 15 to 34

26% 5 below GB

Aged 65 and over

25% 3 above GB

GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.

Similar

Councils most like this one

Shetland IslandsIndependent MorayConservative (Minority)FifeLabour (Minority)North HertfordshireLabour (Minority)AberdeenshireConservative / Liberal Democrats / Independent Coalition

Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.

Sources

Sources and method

Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.

Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Scottish councils use STV: party shares are of first-preference votes. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.