Local Government Elections
Local Government By-election
Election of Councillors for Ward 7, Tain and Easter Ross and Ward 11, Caol and Mallaig
A Local Government By-Election will be held on Thursday 25 September in Wards 7 and 11. There is one vacancy to be filled for each ward.
Following the deadline for nominations at 4pm on Monday 25 August, the candidates for Ward 7, Tain and Easter Ross are:
- ANDROULAKAKIS, Manuel – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- BARNETT, Andrew – Scottish Greens
- NEWMAN, Peter – Scottish National Party (SNP)
- NIMMONS, Eric – Independent
- RAMSAY, Connie – Scottish Liberal Democrats
- WILSON, Stuart – Reform UK
The candidates for Ward 11, Caol and Mallaig are:
- CAMERON, Sammy – Independent
- CAMPBELL, Isla Maev – Scottish Liberal Democrats
- FORBES, Ryan Andrew – Reform UK
- HENDERSON, Allan – Independent
- MACKENZIE, Donald Matheson – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- PERERA, Michael Robert – Scottish Labour Party
- PROSSER, Matthew Sam – Independent
- TAYLOR, Aaron – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Public Notices and key information:
- 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
- Policy - Display of election posters
- Limitation of Candidate’s Election Expenses
- Notice of Election
- By-Election Timetable
Key Dates to Remember:
- Tuesday 9 September 2025 (midnight) - Registration deadline
- Wednesday 10 September 2025 (5pm) - Deadline for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes
- Wednesday 17 September 2025 (5pm) - Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)
- Thursday 25 September 2025 (7am - 10pm) - Polling Day
- Thursday 25 September 2025 (5pm) - Deadline for emergency proxy applications
- Thursday 25 September 2025 (9pm) - Last time to alter the Register due to clerical error or court appeal
- Thursday 25 September 2025 (10pm) - Last time for re-issue of spoilt or lost postal votes
- Friday 26 September 2025 (10am) - Electronic Counting of votes at Glen Urquhart High School, Community Hall, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XA
How to vote
Poll cards will be sent out to both in-person and postal voters. If you're voting in person, your poll card will include the location of your polling station. Alternatively, you can enter your postcode on this website to find out where to vote. In person voters can vote at their designated polling station between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 25 September 2025
Voters in Ward 7 are asked to check their poll card carefully as Hill of Fearn Primary School and Nigg Village Hall will not be used as polling places for this by-election. Instead, in-person voters for both these polling districts will vote at the Balintore Seaboard Memorial Hall. Alternatively, voters can opt to apply for a postal vote for this by-election.
A dial-a-bus service will be in place on Thursday 25 September to take any in person voters in the Nigg and Fearn area to the Balintore Seaboard Memorial Hall. Anyone wishing to use this service must book before 18:30 on Wednesday 24 September 2025 by calling 01862 892166. The dial-a-bus service will be operating on Thursday 25 September 2025 between the hours 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 14:30.
To vote in this by-election, eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday 9 September 2025. Information about how to register and the different ways of voting in the election i.e. arranging for a postal or proxy voting, please go to the How to Vote page.
For more advice on registration, postal or proxy voting please email ero@highland.gov.uk or call 0800 393783.
Further information on What Voters need to know prior to Polling Day.