2022 Highland Council election

2022 Highland Council election
All 74 seats to Highland Council; 38 seats needed for a majority
Incumbent Council Leader; Margaret Davidson; Independent	; ;

The 2022 Highland Council election is scheduled for 5 May 2022 to elect members of the Highland Council. The election will use the same 21 wards used in 2017; each ward elects three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system (a form of proportional representation). A total of 74 councillors are to be elected. New ward boundaries were proposed by the Boundaries Scotland in 2021 which would have reduced the total number of councillors to 73, however these were rejected by the Scottish Parliament.^[2]

Wards[]

The incumbent councillors for each ward as of December 2021 are listed below.^[3] Any changes from the councillors elected in the 2017 Highland Council election are also noted. Any retirement announcements will also be noted. More detailed information regarding previous elections and by-elections can be found on the respective ward pages.

North, West and Central Sutherland[]

Incumbent councillors:

Linda Munro, Scottish Liberal Democrats (retiring)^[4]
Hugh Morrison, Independent
Kirsteen Currie, Scottish National Party (retiring)^[4]

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Michael Baird^[5]		Liberal Democrat

Thurso and North West Caithness[]

Incumbent councillors:

Matthew Reiss, Independent
Struan Mackie, Scottish Conservatives
Donnie MacKay, Scottish Conservatives (elected as Independent)
Karl Rosie, Scottish National Party

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Matthew Reiss (incumbent)^[6]		Independent
Struan Mackie (incumbent)^[7]		Conservative
Ron Gunn^[5]		Liberal Democrat
Iain Gregory^[8]		Independent

Wick and East Caithness[]

Incumbent councillors:

A.I. Willie MacKay, Independent
Jill Tilt, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Replaced Nicola Sinclair (Independent) in August 2021.
Andrew Sinclair, Scottish Conservatives
Raymond Bremner, Scottish National Party

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Andrew Jarvie†^[9]		Conservative
Jan McEwan^[5]		Liberal Democrat

†Incumbent councillor for Inverness South.

East Sutherland and Edderton[]

Incumbent councillors:

Deirdre MacKay, Scottish Labour Party (retiring)^[10]
Richard Gale, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Jim McGillivray, Sutherland Independent Group

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Richard Gale (incumbent)^[5]		Liberal Democrat
Jim McGillivray (incumbent)^[4]		Sutherland Independent
Max Bannerman^[11]		Conservative

Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh[]

Incumbent councillors:

Ian Cockburn, Scottish National Party
Derek MacLeod, Scottish Conservatives
Biz Campbell, Independent
Alexander MacInnes, Scottish National Party. Replaced Kate Stephen (Scottish Liberal Democrats) in December 2018.

Cromarty Firth[]

Incumbent councillors:

Carolyn Wilson, Independent
Pauline Munro, Highland Matters (elected as Scottish National Party)
Mike Finlayson, Independent
Maxine Morley-Smith, Highland Matters (elected as Scottish National Party)

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Pauline Munro (incumbent)^[12]		Independent
Maxine Morley-Smith (incumbent)^[12]		Independent
Molly Nolan^[5]		Liberal Democrat

Tain and Easter Ross[]

Incumbent councillors:

Fiona Robertson, Independent
Derek Louden, Scottish National Party
Alasdair Rhind, Independent. Replaced Jamie Stone (Scottish Liberal Democrats) in September 2017.

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Sarah Rawlings^[5]		Liberal Democrat

Dingwall and Seaforth[]

Incumbent councillors:

Graham MacKenzie, Scottish National Party
Margaret Paterson, Independent
Angela MacLean, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Alister MacKinnon, Independent

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Graham MacKenzie (incumbent)^[13]		SNP
Margaret Paterson (incumbent)^[14]		Independent
Gavin Berkenheger^[15]		Conservative

Black Isle[]

Incumbent councillors:

Craig Fraser, Scottish National Party
Gordon Adam, Scottish Liberal Democrats (retiring)^[16]
Jennifer Barclay, Independent

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Lyndsey Johnston^[17]		SNP
Morven-May MacCallum^[16]		Liberal Democrat
Anne Thomas^[18]		Green
Sarah Atkin^[19]		Independent

Eilean a' Cheò (Skye and Raasay)[]

Incumbent councillors:

John Finlayson, Independent
Calum MacLeod, Highland Matters (elected as Scottish National Party)
Calum Munro, Independent. Replaced Ronald MacDonald (Independent) in March 2020.
John Gordon, Independent (retiring)^[20]

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
John Finlayson (incumbent)^[20]		Independent
Hector Macleod^[21]		Alba

Caol and Mallaig[]

Incumbent councillors:

Allan Henderson, Independent (retiring)^[22]
Denis Rixson, Scottish Liberal Democrats (retiring).^[23] Replaced Billy MacLachlan (Scottish National Party) in April 2018.
Vacancy. Cllr Ben Thompson (Independent) resigned within six months of the 2022 elections and therefore his seat will remain vacant.

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Andrew Baldrey^[24]		Green

Aird and Loch Ness[]

Incumbent councillors:

Margaret Davidson, Independent (retiring)^[25]
David Fraser, Independent. Replaced George Cruickshank (Scottish Conservatives) in March 2021.
Emma Knox, Scottish National Party
Helen Carmichael, Independent

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Emma Knox (incumbent)^[26]		SNP
David Fraser (incumbent)^[27]		Independent
Helen Crawford^[28]		Conservative
Chris Ballance^[29]		Green
Aarron Duncan-MacLeod^[30]		Independent

Inverness West[]

Incumbent councillors:

Alex Graham, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Colin Aitken, Scottish Liberal Democrats (will stand in Inverness South ward). Replaced Graham Ross (Independent) in August 2021.
Bill Boyd, Scottish National Party

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Ryan MacKintosh^[31]		Green

Inverness Central[]

Incumbent councillors:

Emma Roddick, Scottish National Party. Replaced Richard Laird (Scottish National Party) in November 2019.
Bet McAllister, Scottish Labour Party
Janet Campbell, Independent

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Bet McAllister (incumbent)^[32]		Labour
Kate MacLean^[33]		SNP
Michael Cameron^[34]		SNP
Sean Robertson^[35]		TUSC
Andrew Barnett^[36]		Independent

Inverness Ness-side[]

Incumbent councillors:

Alasdair Christie, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Ron MacWilliam, Scottish National Party
Callum Smith, Scottish Conservatives

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Jackie Hendry^[37]		SNP

Inverness Millburn[]

Incumbent councillors:

Jimmy Gray, Scottish Labour Party
Isabelle MacKenzie, Scottish Conservatives
Ian Brown, Scottish National Party

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Lewis Whyte^[38]		Labour
David Gregg^[39]		Liberal Democrat

Culloden and Ardersier[]

Incumbent councillors:

Glynis Campbell-Sinclair, Scottish National Party
Roddy Balfour, Independent
Trish Robertson, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Nairn and Cawdor[]

Incumbent councillors:

Vacancy. Cllr Tom Heggie (Independent) died suddenly on 23 February 2022.^[40]
Peter Saggers, Scottish Conservatives
Laurie Fraser, Independent
Liz MacDonald, Independent (elected as Scottish National Party)

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Paul Oldham^[41]		SNP
Michael Green^[42]		Independent
Kevin Reid^[43]		Liberal Democrat

Inverness South[]

Incumbent councillors:

Ken Gowans, Scottish National Party
Andrew Jarvie, Scottish Conservatives (will stand in Wick and East Caithness ward)
Carolyn Caddick, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Duncan MacPherson, Independent

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Colin Aitken†^[44]		Liberal Democrat

†Incumbent councillor for Inverness West.

Badenoch and Strathspey[]

Incumbent councillors:

John Bruce, Scottish Conservatives
Bill Lobban, Independent
Muriel Cockburn, Scottish National Party
Pippa Hadley, Scottish Green Party

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Bill Lobban (incumbent)^[45]		Independent
Muriel Cockburn (incumbent)^[46]		SNP
Pippa Hadley (incumbent)^[47]		Green
Declan Gallacher^[48]		Liberal Democrat

Fort William and Ardnamurchan[]

Incumbent councillors:

Andrew Baxter, Scottish Conservatives (elected as Independent; retiring)^[49]
Blair Allan, Scottish National Party
Sarah Fanet, Scottish National Party. Replaced Ian Ramon (Scottish Conservatives) in December 2021.
Niall McLean, Scottish National Party

Candidates announced:

Candidate	Party
Sarah Fanet (incumbent)^[50]		SNP
TBA^[50]		Conservative
TBA^[50]		Conservative
Kate Willis^[50]^[51]		Green
Angus MacDonald^[50]		Liberal Democrat

Footnotes[]

^ for the administration group
^ 23 in the administration group, 3 Highland Matters, 1 Sutherland Independent, and 1 non-aligned

References[]

^ "People". Scottish Green Party - Highlands & Islands branch. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
^ "2019 Reviews of Electoral Arrangements". Boundaries Scotland. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
^ "Councillors - The Highland Council". The Highland Council. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "MAY ELECTIONS: Departing Sutherland councillor says working with Highland Council has been a 'frustrating experience'". The Northern Times. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "May Council Elections: Highland Liberal Democrats announce full slate of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross candidates for May 5". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Matthew Reiss Independent Councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Struan Mackie". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Campaigner Iain Gregory to stand in Highland Council election after claiming Caithness has been 'ignored and neglected'". John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
^ "Exclusive: Surprise move as Inverness councillor Andrew Jarvie opts to stand in Caithness ward". John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
^ "Long-serving Sutherland councillor Deirdre Mackay looks forward to life outside the local authority as she confirms she is not seeking re-election". The Northern Times. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^ "Tories reveal candidate for East Sutherland and Edderton ward in upcoming Highland Council elections". The Northern Times. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Councillor Maxine Morley-Smith". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Councillor Graham MacKenzie". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Cllr Margaret E Paterson". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Gavin Berkenheger". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Black Isle author to stand for Highland Liberal Democrats at forthcoming local authority election". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Lyndsey Johnston SNP". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Greens announce Anne Thomas to stand for the Black Isle". Scottish Green Party - Highlands and Islands branch. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
^ "Independent candidate keen to represent the Black Isle ward on Highland Council". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Skye and Raasay Councillor John Gordon to step down". West Highland Free Press. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
^ "Hector Macleod - Alba Candidate - Eilean A' Cheò". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Long-serving Lochaber councillor set to call it a day after 15 years". The Oban Times. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
^ "Mallaig Community Council". Facebook. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
^ "Lochaber Greens". Facebook. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
^ "Margaret Davidson announces decision to step down after seven years as Highland Council leader". The Press and Journal Evening Express. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
^ "Emma Knox 4U". Facebook. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
^ "David Fraser Independent Councillor Aird and Loch Ness". Facebook. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
^ "Helen Crawford". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Elect Chris Ballance for Aird & Loch Ness". Crowdfunder. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
^ "Aarron Duncan-MacLeod". Twitter. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
^ "Ryan MacKintosh - Scottish Greens". Facebook. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
^ "Inverness & Nairn Labour Party". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Kate MacLean for Inverness Central". Inverness SNP. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Michael Cameron SNP". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Andrew Barnett". Andrew Barnett. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Jackie Hendry, SNP". Twitter. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
^ "Lewis Whyte". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "David Gregg". Twitter. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
^ "Highland Council colleagues pay tribute to 'a man of kindness and courage' Tom Heggie". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
^ "Paul Oldham". Twitter. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
^ "Former Highland councillor set to stand again in Nairn calls for Common Good Funds to be brought under direct local control". The Inverness Courier. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
^ "Nairn man bidding to join Highland Council where his mother is a councillor". The Inverness Courier. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
^ "Colin Aitken Liberal Democrats". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Bill Lobban". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Cllr Muriel Cockburn SNP". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
^ "Badenoch & Strathspey Greens". Facebook. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
^ "Declan Gallacher". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ "Lochaber Voice". Facebook. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Multi-millionaire throws hat into the ring for £18,600 Fort William councillor role". The Press & Journal. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
^ "Record Green result in council By-election". Scottish Green Party - Highlands and Islands branch. Retrieved 24 January 2022.

[1] r the administration group

[2] 23 in the administration group, 3 Highland Matters, 1 Sutherland Independent, and 1 non-aligned

[3] "People". Scottish Green Party - Highlands & Islands branch. Retrieved 22 February 2022.

[4] "2019 Reviews of Electoral Arrangements". Boundaries Scotland. Retrieved 3 January 2022.

[5] "Councillors - The Highland Council". The Highland Council. Retrieved 3 January 2022.

[North_retirements-6] "MAY ELECTIONS: Departing Sutherland councillor says working with Highland Council has been a 'frustrating experience'". The Northern Times. Retrieved 19 February 2022.

[Lib_Dems_Caithness-7] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "May Council Elections: Highland Liberal Democrats announce full slate of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross candidates for May 5". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[8] "Matthew Reiss Independent Councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[9] "Struan Mackie". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[10] "Campaigner Iain Gregory to stand in Highland Council election after claiming Caithness has been 'ignored and neglected'". John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier. Retrieved 9 March 2022.

[11] "Exclusive: Surprise move as Inverness councillor Andrew Jarvie opts to stand in Caithness ward". John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier. Retrieved 26 February 2022.

[12] "Long-serving Sutherland councillor Deirdre Mackay looks forward to life outside the local authority as she confirms she is not seeking re-election". The Northern Times. Retrieved 7 March 2022.

[13] "Tories reveal candidate for East Sutherland and Edderton ward in upcoming Highland Council elections". The Northern Times. Retrieved 8 March 2022.

[Munro_Morley-Smith-14] "Councillor Maxine Morley-Smith". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[15] "Councillor Graham MacKenzie". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[16] "Cllr Margaret E Paterson". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[17] "Gavin Berkenheger". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[Lib_Dems_Black_Isle-18] "Black Isle author to stand for Highland Liberal Democrats at forthcoming local authority election". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[19] "Lyndsey Johnston SNP". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[20] "Greens announce Anne Thomas to stand for the Black Isle". Scottish Green Party - Highlands and Islands branch. Retrieved 1 February 2022.

[21] "Independent candidate keen to represent the Black Isle ward on Highland Council". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[Skye_Johns-22] "Skye and Raasay Councillor John Gordon to step down". West Highland Free Press. Retrieved 1 March 2022.

[23] "Hector Macleod - Alba Candidate - Eilean A' Cheò". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[24] "Long-serving Lochaber councillor set to call it a day after 15 years". The Oban Times. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

[25] "Mallaig Community Council". Facebook. Retrieved 26 March 2022.

[26] "Lochaber Greens". Facebook. Retrieved 26 March 2022.

[27] "Margaret Davidson announces decision to step down after seven years as Highland Council leader". The Press and Journal Evening Express. Retrieved 16 March 2022.

[28] "Emma Knox 4U". Facebook. Retrieved 27 February 2022.

[29] "David Fraser Independent Councillor Aird and Loch Ness". Facebook. Retrieved 28 March 2022.

[30] "Helen Crawford". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[31] "Elect Chris Ballance for Aird & Loch Ness". Crowdfunder. Retrieved 18 March 2022.

[32] "Aarron Duncan-MacLeod". Twitter. Retrieved 18 March 2022.

[33] "Ryan MacKintosh - Scottish Greens". Facebook. Retrieved 14 March 2022.

[34] "Inverness & Nairn Labour Party". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[35] "Kate MacLean for Inverness Central". Inverness SNP. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[36] "Michael Cameron SNP". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[37] "Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition". Facebook. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[38] "Andrew Barnett". Andrew Barnett. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[39] "Jackie Hendry, SNP". Twitter. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

[40] "Lewis Whyte". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[41] "David Gregg". Twitter. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

[42] "Highland Council colleagues pay tribute to 'a man of kindness and courage' Tom Heggie". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

[43] "Paul Oldham". Twitter. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

[44] "Former Highland councillor set to stand again in Nairn calls for Common Good Funds to be brought under direct local control". The Inverness Courier. Retrieved 1 February 2022.

[45] "Nairn man bidding to join Highland Council where his mother is a councillor". The Inverness Courier. Retrieved 10 February 2022.

[46] "Colin Aitken Liberal Democrats". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[47] "Bill Lobban". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[48] "Cllr Muriel Cockburn SNP". Facebook. Retrieved 17 March 2022.

[49] "Badenoch & Strathspey Greens". Facebook. Retrieved 14 March 2022.

[50] "Declan Gallacher". Twitter. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[51] "Lochaber Voice". Facebook. Retrieved 25 January 2022.

[FW&A_candidates-52] "Multi-millionaire throws hat into the ring for £18,600 Fort William councillor role". The Press & Journal. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

[53] "Record Green result in council By-election". Scottish Green Party - Highlands and Islands branch. Retrieved 24 January 2022.

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v t Council elections in the Highlands
The Highland Council	1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1995 1999 2003 2007 2012 2017 2022
Badenoch and Strathspey District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Caithness District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Inverness District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Lochaber District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Nairn District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Ross and Cromarty District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Skye and Lochalsh District Council	1988 1992 Abolished
Sutherland District Council	1988 1992 Abolished

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