Local Government Elections
Local Government By-election
The Highland Council is divided into 21 Wards and elections are administered, centrally, through the Election Office.
A by-election can occur due to a vacancy, for example death or resignation of an elected representative. It can take place during any of the ordinary local government electoral cycles, and is subject to the same statutory timetable.
Election of a Councillors for Ward 6 – Cromarty Firth and Ward 10 Eilean a’ Cheò
A Local Government By-Election will be held on Thursday 19 June 2025 to fill vacancies that have arisen in wards 6 and 10 following the resignations of Councillors Calum Munro and Maxine Smith.
A Councillor for each ward will be elected through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system which allows voters to express a preference for more than one candidate.
Please visit below further information about the Single Transferable Vote system
Electoral Commission - Single Transferable Vote - YouTube
Following the deadline for nominations at 4pm on Friday 16 May 2025, the candidates for Ward 6 – Cromarty Firth are as follows:
- CHISHOLM, Steve - Alba Party for independence
- COSTIGANE, Ross - Scottish Liberal Democrats
- CROSS, Richard James - Independent
- FORBES, Ryan - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- MACDONALD, Allan - Reform UK
- MACDONALD, Odette - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- PERERA, Michael Robert - Scottish Labour Party
- RATTRAY, Martin - Independent
- THOMAS, Anne - Scottish Greens
The candidates for Ward 10 – Eilean a’ Cheò are as follows:
- COUPLAND, John - Reform UK
- DICKSON, Campbell – Independent
- GILLIES, Christine - Independent
- LAWRENCE, Katy - Scottish Greens
- MAC A’ BHÀILLIDH, Màrtainn - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- MACDONALD, Jonathan – Independent
- MACPHERSON, George - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- THOMSON, Fay - Scottish Liberal Democrats
There is one vacancy to be filled for each ward.
The Notice of Poll, key information and statutory notices relating to the forthcoming by-election:
- Notice of Poll and Statement of Persons Nominated
- Notice of Election Agents
- Notice of Situation of Polling Places
- Notice of Issuing and Opening of Postal Votes
- By-Election Timetable
- Notice of election – published 6 May 2025
- Privacy Notice for registering candidates and agents prior to elections and referendums
Pre-election Guidance and Poster Policy
- Pre-election guidance for Council staff
- Pre-election guidance for Elected Members
- Pre-election guidance for Schools
- Policy - Display of election posters
Voting will take place on Thursday 19 June 2025 from 7am until 10pm with the count taking place the following day on Friday 20 June 2025.
Candidate Spending Returns and Declarations
Notices are hereby given below on the inspection of the returns of election spending, declarations and accompanying documents of Candidates at Highland Council By-Elections that have been previously held.
- Ward 21 - Fort William and Ardnamurchan - Thursday 21 November 2024
- Ward 6 - Cromarty Firth and Ward 14 - Inverness Central - Thursday 26 September 2024
- Ward 7 - Tain and Easter Ross - Thursday 13 June 2024
- Ward 19 - Inverness South - Thursday 11 April 2024
- Ward 7 - Tain and Easter Ross - Thursday 28 September 2023
Returns are made available to view for a period of two years from an election. At the end of the two-year period, if the candidate or the relevant election agent requests them, they must be returned to the candidate. Otherwise, the returns and accompanying documents may be destroyed.
Results for previous by-elections are available here.