Make Your Mind Up Time Coming As Scottish Parliament Election called in Highland

16th March 2026

The Notice of Election for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election has been published today (Monday 16 March 2026).

The election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026 with polling taking place in three Highland constituencies.

The Highland constituencies are:

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.
Inverness and Nairn.
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.

Nomination forms are available on The Highland Council's website highland.gov.uk/spe2026 for candidates seeking election to the Scottish Parliament.

Prospective constituency candidates have until 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026 to submit their nomination forms.

As well as returning a Highland constituency Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), electors will also be asked to elect seven additional Members from the Highlands and Islands Regional List.

The Highland and Islands Regional constituencies are:

Argyll and Bute
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Inverness and Nairn
Moray
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Orkney
Shetland
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch

Regional nomination forms are available for individual candidates or party list candidates seeking election to the Scottish Parliament on the Council's website highland.gov.uk/spe2026. The deadline for nominations to be submitted is also 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.

The public are reminded that to take part they will need to ensure that they are registered to vote by the deadline of Monday 20 April 2026. The quickest and easiest way to register is online at gov.uk/register-to-vote or phone the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 to request a paper form.

Voters will be able to opt to vote in person at a polling station, apply for a proxy vote so someone can vote on their behalf or vote by post.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm, Tuesday 21 April 2026. Application forms and full information can be downloaded from saa.gov.uk/h-wi-vjb. If you are unable to print the form, you can request application forms to be sent to you or your household. The Electoral Registration Office can arrange for an application form to be sent to you in the post.

For further information about the Scottish Parliament election visit highland.gov.uk/spe2026

The electoral system for the Scottish Parliament election
Members of the Scottish Parliament are elected under the Additional Member System (AMS). Under this electoral system, voters are given two ballot papers: one for the constituency election and one for the regional election.

On the constituency ballot paper, voters are asked to put an X next to the candidate of their choice.

On the regional ballot paper, voters are asked to put an X next to the party or individual candidate of their choice.

There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) - 73 constituency MSPs and 56 regional MSPs, with 7 regional MSPs elected to represent each of the 8 electoral regions.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
________________________________________________________________________________

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

30/7/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council Launches Community Transport Grant Funding for 2027–2030

Community groups and organisations across the Highlands are being invited to apply for funding through The Highland Council's Community Transport Grant Scheme.   The scheme supports community-led transport services that help people access healthcare, employment, education, shopping and social activities.  

30/7/2026 : Local Authority

Council leader welcomed Wick Air Service Funding for 2026/27

The Leader of The Highland Council has welcomed confirmation from Transport Scotland of almost £1.8 million funding to support Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services from Wick for the year ahead.   Following an open tender exercise, the Council has awarded the contract to Air Charter Scotland, which will continue to operate services between Wick and Aberdeen and introduce scheduled flights between Wick and Glasgow from 15 August 2026 to 14 August 2027.  

30/7/2026 : Local Authority

Businesses invited to help shape recovery response following Cairngorms wildfire

As the emergency response to the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park continues, attention is now turning to economic recovery and supporting the businesses and people whose livelihoods have been impacted.   The Highland Council through Business Gateway Highland is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Cairngorms Business Partnership as part of a multi-agency business recovery group.  

23/7/2026 : Local Authority

England Cuts Business Rates for Hospitality – Will Scottish Businesses Be Left Behind?

The UK Government has announced a 20% cut in business rates for many hospitality businesses in England, offering welcome relief to pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and live music venues that have struggled with rising costs in recent years.   For thousands of businesses south of the Border, it could mean lower bills and a little more breathing space.  

16/7/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Small Grants Programme Reopens with Expanded Support for Community Organisations

The Highland Local Action Group (LAG) is re-opening the Highland Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) Small Grants Programme following a review of the remaining funding.   Community and voluntary organisations across rural Highland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000.  

14/7/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do you want a say in the future development of Highland?

Share your ideas and help shape the places, spaces and communities of tomorrow.   The Highland Council is inviting people to share their ideas relating to the development or long-term land use in Highland.  

8/7/2026 : Local Authority

Traffic restrictions for Belladrum Festival 2026

Motorists are being advised of a series of temporary road closures, speed limits and traffic restrictions that will be in place to support the safe running of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2026.   The Highland Council has introduced a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to manage traffic and reduce disruption in the area around Kiltarlity and Belladrum during the event period.  

2/7/2026 : Local Authority

A New Pay Deal For England's Teachers But Scottish Teach Are Still Better Paid But Councils Are Landed With The Problem

teachers in Scotland are generally still paid more than teachers in England, although the gap varies depending on experience and location.   The UK Government has announced a two-year pay deal for teachers in England: 3.5% from September 2026 3.0% from September 2027 This is a cumulative increase of around 6.6% over two years.  

26/6/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agree next steps for Visitor Levy scheme

The Highland Council has agreed to continue working with the tourism industry to co-design a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the Highlands.   It follows the Council securing greater flexibility from The Scottish Government on how a Visitor Levy could be applied and administered, after feedback from accommodation providers and industry groups across the Highlands about a percentage-based charge.  

26/6/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Wealth Fund to create lasting legacy from renewable energy development

The Highland Council has agreed plans to establish a Highland Wealth Fund to create a lasting legacy from renewable energy development and support long-term benefits for communities across the region.   Inspired by the principles of the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, the new partnership-led fund will support strategic, regional, area and local priority projects, helping to ensure that the opportunities created by the energy transition deliver lasting value for current and future generations.