Highland Council - Tain & Easter Ross By-election Result - Independent Win

29th September 2023

Photograph of Highland Council - Tain & Easter Ross By-election Result - Independent Win

The by-election to elect a councillor to represent Ward 7 - Tain and Easter Ross on The Highland Council has been won by Maureen Ross (Independent) who was one of seven candidates who contested the vacancy.

One of three seats in the Tain and Easter Ross ward became vacant on the resignation of Sarah Rawlings (Scottish Libertal Democrat).

Voters went to the poll yesterday (Thursday 28 September) and the by-election count was held this morning in Tain Royal Academy. The count was relayed live on the Council's social media channels.

Voting was by the single transferable vote and Maureen Ross emerged as the winner at stage 6 of the count.

The turnout was 34.4%.

Details are on the Council's website - www.highland.gov.uk/byelection

Maureen will join councillors Derek Louden (Scottish National Party) and Alasdair Rhind (Highland Independent) in representing Ward 7 on The Highland Council.

The full vote stages can be seen HERE

With the election of Maureen Ross, the current political make-up of The Highland Council is as follows:

Caithness Independent (1)

Highland Independent (18)

Independent (1)

Inverness Independent (1)

Non-aligned (1)

Scottish Conservative and Unionist (9)

Scottish Green Party (4)

Scottish Labour Party (2)

Scottish Liberal Democrats (14)

Scottish National Party (22)

Sutherland Independent (1)

The Candidates for Ward 7- Tain and Easter Ross were:
ALLISON, Gordon - Scottish National Party (SNP)
BARNETT, Andrew - Scottish Green Party
CHRISTIAN, Harry - Scottish Libertarian Party
MORRISON, Veronica - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
PERERA, Michael - Scottish Labour Party
ROSS, Maureen - Independent
STEPHEN, Charles - Scottish Liberal Democrats

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

France's Schools Are in Revolt. Is Scotland Any Better?

Class sizes, teacher shortages, school buildings and the pressure on teachers reveal a more complicated picture than politicians' headline figures suggest.   Protests over the state of schools in France have raised questions that parents in Scotland might recognise.  

6/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Tourists Take the Homes: Is Europe Losing Its Housing to Tourism?

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting across Spain over the country's housing crisis, with rapidly rising rents and the growing influence of tourism among their biggest concerns.   The protests came after the Spanish parliament rejected government measures intended to strengthen tenant protection and restrict some forms of short-term rental accommodation.  

5/10/2026 : Local Authority

Still time to return Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election ballots

Anyone eligible to vote in the contested Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election is reminded that their postal ballot papers need to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by 12 noon on Thursday, 8 October 2026.   Candidates standing were invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy and these statements are provided in the envelopes mailed out along with the ballot papers to all eligible voters.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Julie Calder wins easily for Lib Dems in East Caithnes bi-election

Dave BUCHANAN Independent 714 Julie CALDER Scottish Liberal Democrats Elected Stage 1 1,522 Charlotte GIBSON Scottish Conservative and Unionist 79 John GLEN Scottish National Party (SNP) 424 Iain RICHMOND Reform UK 283# No further preference 0 Remainder not transferred 0 Total 3,022.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council proceeds to procurement for a new electric Corran Ferry

The Highland Council has reached another significant milestone in the delivery of a replacement Corran Ferry, with the procurement for a new electric vessel.   Funded through a £58 million investment from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, including £28 million from the Scottish Government for the new electric vessel, £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from The Highland Council towards landside infrastructure, the project will deliver a modern replacement ferry service for one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Wick and Thurso Jobs secured and bus services strengthened through D&E Coaches acquisition

Highland Council-owned D&E Coaches has confirmed the acquisition of Stagecoach’s Thurso and Wick bus operation securing local jobs.  This will protect vital services and strengthening public transport provision across the Highlands.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Reforming Scotland’s Councils: Should We Test One Region Before Reorganising Them All?

Scotland is considering one of the biggest changes to local government for a generation.  The Scottish Government has proposed replacing the existing 32 councils with between six and ten regional authorities, alongside somewhere between 120 and 160 community authorities.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.  

29/9/2026 : Local Authority

Are We Trying to Save Britain’s Towns Without Planning Their Future?

Walk through almost any British town centre and you can see the evidence of change.   There are empty shops where there were once businesses.  

28/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council Ward 3 By-election - Voters urged to make sure their vote counts

Polling will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026 to elect one of five candidates standing in The Highland Council's Wick and East Caithness Ward 3 by-election.  Voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.