Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

1st September 2026

Photograph of Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election. There are 5 candidaes.

The candidates standing are:

BUCHANAN, Dave – Independent
CALDER, Julie – Scottish Liberal Democrats
GLEN, John – Scottish National Party (SNP)
GIBSON, Charlotte – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
RICHMOND, Iain – Reform UK

The Notice of Poll and the Statement of Persons nominated are available on the Council’s website – highland.gov.uk/byelection

Voting will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026 with the electronic count to be held the following day.

Ward 3 is a 4-member ward. The other members are Councillors Raymond Bremner, Andrew Jarvie, and Jan McEwan.

Everyone, regardless of their circumstances, should be able to participate in elections and cast their vote with confidence. We have made the voting process accessible for both postal voters and in person voters and have put in place various measures including reasonable adjustments for anyone with a disability.

Anyone over 16 years old who is living in the Ward is eligible to take part in this by-election if they are registered to vote. To register to vote visit gov.uk/register-to-vote or alternatively phone the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 for assistance. The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Voters in the Wick and East Caithness Ward will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their local polling station, or they can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. Some voters may find it more convenient to use a postal vote rather than travelling to a polling station.

The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 16 September 2026 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy, which is someone to vote on their behalf, is 5pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by phoning the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : 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.  

21/8/2026 : 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.