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:

Pre-election Guidance and Poster Policy

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.

Further information on how to vote and key dates are available here

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.

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.