Black Isle by-election result

20th December 2013

The by-election for a councillor to represent the Black Isle Ward on The Highland Council has been won by Mrs Jennifer Barclay, who will join the Independent Group on the Council.

Mrs Barclay was one of eight candidates who contested the vacancy, following the death of her husband, Councillor Billy Barclay. She joins Councillors David Alston (Liberal Democrat), Craig Fraser (SNP) and Isobel McCallum (Independent) in representing the Black Isle Ward.

Voting was by the single transferable vote and Mrs Barclay emerged as the winner at the sixth stage of the count, gaining a total of 1,343 votes.

The electorate was 8,613 and the total number of votes cast were 3,084 votes, giving a turn out of 35.81%. There were 23 spoilt votes.

Mrs Barclay said: “I am very delighted and I think Billy would be very proud of me. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and everyone who helped me with my campaign, especially my daughter, Paula, and sons Christopher, Steven and Mark and my son-in-law Norman. I now look forward to representing constituents on the Black Isle on The Highland Council.”

The other candidates were:

· Myra Carus, Rosemarkie, (Scottish Green Party)

· Shaun Finlayson, Avoch, (Scottish Labour Party

· Bill Fraser, Fortrose, (Independent)

· Jackie Hendry, Tore, (Scottish National Party, SNP)

· Douglas MacLean, Avoch, (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

· George Normington, North Kessock, (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

· Gwyn Phillips, Rosemarkie, (Independent)

The Highland Council is made up of 80 elected members. The new representation is Independent 34, SNP 21, Liberal Democrats 14, Labour 8, Independent Nationalist 1, Non-aligned 2.

Voting Results -
Jennifer, BARCLAY, Independent 1,342 wife of the late Councillor Billy Barclay who died recently

Myra CARUS, Scottish Green Party 362

Shaun, FINLAYSON, Scottish Labour Party 194

Bill FRASER, Independent 633

Jackie HENDRY, Scottish National Party (SNP) 594
wife of the current SNP leader of the council Drew Hendry

Douglas MACLEAN, Scottish Conservative and Unionist 175

George NORMINGTON, Scottish Liberal Democrats 489

Gwyn PHILLIPS, Independent 304

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

14/10/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.  

12/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
The Highland Council is ready for winter - are you?

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now’ for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council’s winter service starts on Wednesday 14 October and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

10/10/2026 : 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.