Highland nominations for Scottish Parliament Election 2026

2nd April 2026

Statements of Persons and Parties Nominated and Notice of Poll

Twenty candidates are seeking election on Thursday 7 May 2026 in the three Scottish Parliamentary local constituencies for Highland.

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency has attracted 7 candidates; Inverness and Nairn constituency has attracted 7 candidates; Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency has attracted 6 candidates.

Candidates in the three Highland constituencies are as follows:

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
GREEN, David - Scottish Liberal Democrats

KESTNER, Eva - Scottish Labour Party

MACDONALD, Andrew Ross - Alliance to Liberate Scotland and Sovereignty

MACKENZIE, Donald - Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

SHEPPARD, Matt - Advance UK

TODD, Maree - Scottish National Party (SNP)

WELSH, Steven - Reform UK

Inverness and Nairn
ALEXANDER, Neil - Scottish Liberal Democrats

CAMPBELL, Fred - Reform UK

EWING, Fergus - Independent

FRASER, Shaun Alexander - Scottish Labour Party

RODDICK, Emma - Scottish National Party (SNP)

SKERRETT, Steve - Advance UK

STEWART, Ruraidh - Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
BAXTER, Andrew Phillip - Scottish Liberal Democrats

CRAWFORD, Helen - Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

HANSLER, Laura - Alliance to Liberate Scotland

MCCAY, Isla - Scottish Labour Party

MUNRO, Eilidh - Scottish National Party (SNP)

WHITTON, Jon - Reform UK

In the Highlands and Islands regional constituencies a total of 16 Parties and 2 Independent Candidates are seeking election to:

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

They are:
ADVANCE UK
ALLIANCE TO LIBERATE SCOTLAND
Alliance to Liberate Scotland For Independence
INDEPENDENCE FOR SCOTLAND PARTY
Independence for Scotland Party, Direct Democracy.
INDEPENDENT GREEN VOICE
Independent Green Voice - Organic, Local, Democratic
REFORM UK
SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN PARTY "PROCLAIMING CHRIST'S LORDSHIP"
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY
SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY
Scottish Family Party - Christian values
SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY
Vote Scottish Greens - Let's demand better
SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
Scottish Labour - Scotland Needs Change
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
SCOTTISH LIBERTARIAN PARTY
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)
SCOTTISH RURAL PARTY
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY
Scottish Socialist Party - Independent Socialist Scotland
WORKERS PARTY OF BRITAIN
Workers Party - Scotland
MACPHERSON, Duncan
INDEPENDENT
RICE, Mick
INDEPENDENT

Electors in the Highlands heading to the polls on Thursday 7 May are being reminded of the procedure to follow in completing their two ballot papers.

Highland Local Constituencies

For the 3 Highland Constituencies of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross; Inverness and Nairn; Skye, Lochaber, Badenoch voters will receive a lilac-coloured ballot paper. On this ballot paper you vote for a candidate to represent your constituency. To vote, mark a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of one candidate.

Highlands and Islands Regional List

As well as returning a Member of the Scottish Parliament in their constituency, voters will be asked to complete a peach-coloured ballot paper. On this ballot paper you vote for a party or independent candidate to represent your region. To vote, mark a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of one party or independent candidate.

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

You will receive a poll letter to tell you where to go to cast your vote on Thursday 7 May. If you've received a poll letter for the Scottish Parliament Election 2026 you don't need to register to vote again unless your circumstances have changed.

There is still time to apply to vote by post or to apply for a proxy, which is to appoint someone to vote on your behalf. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April. The deadline to apply for a proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

For further information please contact the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 or email ero@highland.gov.uk

The Electoral Commission has produced a voting guide for the Scottish Parliament Election and issued it to every household. You can view this document in a variety of accessible formats from their website -https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-03/Your-Guide-To-Voting-In-The-Scottish-Parliament-Election-2026.pdf

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council to consider Draft Visitor Levy Scheme at Special Meeting

A special meeting of The Highland Council will take place Tuesday 25 August 2026 to consider a draft Visitor Levy proposal.   No decision is being sought at this stage on whether a Visitor Levy should be introduced in the Highlands.  

11/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Nature Restoration Fund Community Grants Programme opens for applications

Community groups, charities, public sector bodies and other eligible organisations across Highland are being encouraged to apply for funding through the 2026/27 Highland Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) Community Grants Programme, which opens for applications on Friday 14 August 2026.   Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, with grants available from £2,000 to £25,000 for capital projects that help restore nature, safeguard wildlife and address biodiversity loss.  

7/8/2026 : Local Authority

Convener welcomes funding to support Cairngorms businesses

The Scottish Government has confirmed a £3 million fund to support businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire.   The funding package was announced today by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Tourism, Stephen Flynn, during a visit to Glenmore.  

6/8/2026 : Local Authority

Timetable for Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

A Highland Council by-election is being held for Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness following the resignation of Willie Mackay.   The Notice of Election and timetable for this election will be published on the Council’s website on Friday 14 August 2026.  

5/8/2026 : Local Authority

Qualifications Scotland exam results for young people across Highland 2026

Yesterday 4 August 2026 we celebrate the success and achievements of all our young people as they receive their Qualifications Scotland (QS) results, previously known as SQA.  These results are an initial snapshot of attainment and achievement for the 2025/26 session.  

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.