Still time to apply to vote in two Highland Council By-Elections
Issued on behalf of The Returning Officer
Polling will take place on Thursday 25 September 2025 to elect one of six candidates standing in the Ward 7 Tain and Easter Ross by-election and one of eight candidates standing for election in Ward 11 Caol and Mallaig. Voters in both these Wards are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.
Anyone over 16 years old who is living in the Ward is eligible to vote in this by-election if they are registered. The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday 9 September 2025. To register to vote visit here or call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 to request a paper application form.
Voters will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or appoint a proxy which is requesting someone to vote on their behalf.
The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 17 September 2025.
Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk
Poll cards have been mailed out. Voters in Ward 7 are asked to check their poll card carefully as 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 voters in the Nigg and Fearn area to the Balintore Seaboard Memorial Hall to vote in person. 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.
Those intending to vote are reminded that the single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. A short video is available which explains in more detail on how to vote Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted.
The candidates standing in 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 standing in 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 Conservatives and Unionist
PERERA, Michael Robert - Scottish Labour Party
PROSSER, Matthew Sam – Independent
TAYLOR, Aaron - Scottish National Party (SNP)