Highlands and Islands (Scottish Parliament electoral region)

Highlands and Islands
electoral region
for the Scottish Parliament

Highlands and Islands shown within Scotland
Current electoral region
Created 1999
MSPs Scottish National Party 7
Conservative 3
Liberal Democrats 2
Labour 2
Scottish Greens 1
Council areas Argyll and Bute (part)
Highland
Moray (part)
Na h-Eileanan Siar
Orkney Islands
Shetland Islands
Constituencies Argyll and Bute
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Inverness and Nairn
Moray
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Orkney
Shetland
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch

The Highlands and Islands is one of the eight electoral regions of the Scottish Parliament which were created in 1999. Eight of the parliament's first past the post constituencies are sub-divisions of the region and it elects seven of the 56 additional-member Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

The name Highlands and Islands is much older than the electoral region. The Highlands and Islands area has a large area of overlap with the Scottish Highlands, and the two names are often regarded as representing the same area.

The Highlands and Islands region is the largest of the eight electoral regions in terms of area, but the smallest in terms of population and electorate. It has boundaries with the North East Scotland, Mid Scotland and Fife and the West Scotland electoral regions.

The most high-profile MSP for the region has been Winnie Ewing, the matriarch of the Ewing political family.

Constituencies and council areas

2011

As a result of the First Periodic Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries the boundaries of the region and constituencies were redrawn for the 2011 Scottish Parliament election.

Map Constituency
  1. Argyll and Bute
  2. Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
  3. Inverness and Nairn
  4. Moray
  5. Na h-Eileanan an Iar
  6. Orkney
  7. Shetland
  8. Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch

19992011

The constituencies were created in 1999 with the names and boundaries of Westminster constituencies, as existing at that time.[1] They covered all of four council areas,[2] the Highland council area, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles council area), the Orkney Isles council area and the Shetland Isles council area, and most of two others, the Argyll and Bute council area and the Moray council area:

Map Constituency
  1. Argyll and Bute
    covers most of the Argyll and Bute council area.
  2. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
    covers a northern portion of the Highland council area.
  3. Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber
    covers a southern portion of the Highland council area.
  4. Moray
    covers most of the Moray council area.
  5. Orkney
    covers the Orkney Isles council area.
  6. Ross, Skye and Inverness West
    covers a central portion of the Highland council area.
  7. Shetland
    covers the Shetland Isles council area.
  8. Western Isles
    covers Na h-Eileanan Siar.

A south-eastern portion of the Argyll and Bute area is covered by the Dumbarton constituency, which is in the West of Scotland region. An eastern portion of the Moray area is covered by the Gordon constituency, in the North East Scotland region.

Boundary changes

The Boundary Commission also recommended changes to the electoral regions used to elect "list" members of the Scottish Parliament. Highlands and Islands was amended so as to contain the newly redrawn constituencies of Argyll and Bute; Caithness, Sutherland and Ross; Inverness and Nairn; Moray; Na h-Eileanan an Iar; Orkney Islands; Shetland Islands; and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.[3]

Members of the Scottish Parliament

Constituency MSPs

Term Election Argyll and Bute Caithness, Sutherland
and Easter Ross
Inverness East,
Nairn and Lochaber
Moray Ross, Skye
and Inverness West
Western Isles Orkney Shetland
1st 1999 George Lyon
(LD)
Jamie Stone
(LD)
Fergus Ewing
(SNP)
Margaret Ewing
(SNP)
John Farquhar Munro
(LD)
Alasdair Morrison
(Labour)
Jim Wallace
(LD)
Tavish Scott
(LD)
2nd 2003
2006 by Richard Lochhead
(SNP)
3rd 2007 Jim Mather
(SNP)
Alasdair Allan
(SNP)
Liam McArthur
(LD)
Term Election Argyll and Bute Caithness,
Sutherland and Ross
Inverness and Nairn Moray Skye, Lochaber
and Badenoch
Na h-Eileanan an Iar Orkney Shetland
4th 2011 Michael Russell
(SNP)
Rob Gibson
(SNP)
Fergus Ewing
(SNP)
Richard Lochhead
(SNP)
David Thompson
(SNP)
Alasdair Allan
(SNP)
Liam McArthur
(LD)
Tavish Scott
(LD)
5th 2016 Gail Ross
(SNP)
Kate Forbes
(SNP)

Regional List MSPs

N.B. This table is for presentation purposes only

Term Election MSP MSP MSP MSP MSP MSP MSP
1st 1999 Winnie Ewing
(SNP)
Duncan Hamilton
(SNP)
Maureen Macmillan
(Labour)
Rhoda Grant
(Labour)
Peter Peacock
(Labour)
Jamie McGrigor
(Conservative)
Mary Scanlon
(Conservative)
2nd 2003 Rob Gibson
(SNP)
Jim Mather
(SNP)
Eleanor Scott
(Green)
2006 by Dave Petrie
(Conservative)
3rd 2007 David Thompson
(SNP)
David Stewart
(Labour)
Rhoda Grant
(Labour)
Mary Scanlon
(Conservative)
4th 2011 John Finnie
(SNP)
(later Independent)
Mike MacKenzie
(SNP)
Jean Urquhart
(SNP)
(later Independent)
2012
5th 2016 John Finnie
(Green)
Maree Todd
(SNP)
Douglas Ross
(Conservative)
Edward Mountain
(Conservative)
Donald Cameron
(Conservative)

Election results

2016 Scottish Parliament election

In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election the region elected MSPs as follows:

Constituency results

Scottish Parliament election, 2016: Highlands and Islands
Constituency Elected member Result
Argyll and Bute Michael Russell SNP hold
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Gail Ross SNP hold
Inverness and Nairn Fergus Ewing SNP hold
Moray Richard Lochhead SNP hold
Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan SNP hold
Orkney Liam McArthur Liberal Democrats hold
Shetland Tavish Scott Liberal Democrats hold
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Kate Forbes SNP hold

Additional member results

Scottish Parliament election, 2016: Highlands and Islands
Party Elected candidates Seats +/− Votes % +/−%
SNP Maree Todd 1 -2 81,600 39.7% -7.8%
Conservative Douglas Ross
Edward Mountain
Donald Cameron
3 +1 44,693 21.8% +10.1%
Liberal Democrats 0 ±0 27,223 13.3% +1.2%
Labour Rhoda Grant
David Stewart
2 ±0 22,894 11.2% -3.3%
Scottish Green John Finnie 1 +1 14,781 7.2% +2.1%
UK Independence Party 0 0 5,344 2.6% +0.7%
Independent 0 0 3,689 1.8% +1.8%
Scottish Christian 0 0 3,407 1.7% -0.3%
RISE 0 0 889 0.4% +0.4%
Solidarity 0 0 793 0.4% +0.3%

2011 Scottish Parliament election

In the 2011 Scottish Parliament election the region elected MSPs as follows:[4]

Constituency results

Scottish Parliament election, 2011: Highlands and Islands
Constituency Elected member Result
Argyll and Bute Michael Russell SNP hold
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Rob Gibson SNP gain from Liberal Democrats
Inverness and Nairn Fergus Ewing SNP hold
Moray Richard Lochhead SNP hold
Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan SNP hold
Orkney Liam McArthur Liberal Democrats hold
Shetland Tavish Scott Liberal Democrats hold
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Dave Thompson SNP gain from Liberal Democrats

Additional member results

Scottish Parliament election, 2011: Highlands and Islands
Party Elected candidates Seats +/− Votes % +/−%
SNP John Finnie
Jean Urquhart
Mike MacKenzie
3 +1 85,082 47.5% +13.1%
Labour Rhoda Grant
David Stewart
2 -1 25,884 14.5% -3.2%
Liberal Democrats 0 ±0 21,729 12.1% -8.0%
Conservative Jamie McGrigor
Mary Scanlon
2 ±0 20,843 11.6% -0.8%
Scottish Green 0 0 9,076 5.1% +0.4%
Scottish Christian 0 0 3,541 2.0% -1.4%
UK Independence Party 0 0 3,372 1.9% +1.2%
All Scotland Pensioners Party 0 0 2,770 1.5% -0.6%
Ban Bankers Bonuses 0 0 1,764 1.0% n/a
Liberal 0 0 1,969 0.9% n/a
Socialist Labour 0 0 1,406 0.8% +0.2%
BNP 0 0 1,134 0.6% -0.5%
Scottish Socialist 0 0 509 0.3% -0.2%
Solidarity 0 0 204 0.1% -0.9%

2007 Scottish Parliament election

In the 2007 Scottish Parliament election the region elected MSPs as follows:

Constituency results

Scottish Parliament election, 2007: Highlands and Islands
Constituency Elected member Result
Argyll and Bute Jim Mather SNP gain from Liberal Democrats
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone Liberal Democrats hold
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber Fergus Ewing SNP hold
Moray Richard Lochhead SNP hold
Orkney Liam McArthur Liberal Democrats hold
Ross, Skye and Inverness West John Farquhar Munro Liberal Democrats hold
Shetland Tavish Scott Liberal Democrats hold
Western Isles Alasdair Allan SNP gain from Labour

Additional member results

Scottish Parliament election, 2007: Highlands and Islands
Party Elected candidates Seats +/− Votes % +/−%
SNP Rob Gibson
David Thompson
2 ±0 63,979 34.4% +11.0
Liberal Democrats 0 ±0 37,001 19.9% +1.1
Labour Peter Peacock
Rhoda Grant
David Stewart
3 +1 32,952 17.7% -4.6
Conservative Mary Scanlon
Jamie McGrigor
2 ±0 23,334 12.6% -3.4
Scottish Green 0 -1 8,602 4.6% -3.6
Scottish Christian 0 ±0 6,332 3.4% +3.4
Scottish Senior Citizens 0 ±0 3,841 2.1% +2.1
BNP 0 ±0 2,152 1.2% +1.2
Solidarity 0 ±0 1,833 1.0% +1.0
UKIP 0 ±0 1,287 0.7% -0.5
Socialist Labour 0 ±0 1,027 0.6% -0.4
Scottish Socialist 0 ±0 973 0.5% -4.8
Publican Party 0 ±0 914 0.5% +0.5
Christian Peoples 0 ±0 885 0.5% +0.5
Scottish Voice 0 ±0 450 0.2% +0.2
Scottish Enterprise 0 ±0 211 0.1% +0.1

2003 Scottish Parliament election

In the 2003 Scottish Parliament election the region elected MSPs as follows:

Constituency results

Scottish Parliament election, 2003: Highlands and Islands
Constituency Elected member Result
Argyll and Bute George Lyon Liberal Democrats
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone Liberal Democrats
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber Fergus Ewing SNP
Moray Margaret Ewing SNP
Orkney Jim Wallace Liberal Democrats
Ross, Skye and Inverness West John Farquhar Munro Liberal Democrats
Shetland Tavish Scott Liberal Democrats
Western Isles Alasdair Morrison Labour

Changes:

Additional member results

Scottish Parliament election, 2003: Highlands and Islands
Party Elected candidates Seats +/− Votes % +/−%
SNP Jim Mather
Rob Gibson
2 ±0 39,497 23.43% -4.3%
Labour Peter Peacock
Maureen Macmillan
2 −1 37,605 22.31% -3.16
Liberal Democrats 0 0 31,655 18.78% -2.65%
Conservative Jamie McGrigor
Mary Scanlon
2 ±0 26,989 16.01% +1.07%
Scottish Green Eleanor Scott 1 +1 13,935 8.27% +4.52%
Scottish Socialist 0 0 9,000 5.34% +4.46%
UKIP 0 0 1,947 1.16% N/A
Robbie the Pict (Independent) 0 0 1,822 1.08% +0.51%
Countryside Party 0 0 1,768 1.05% N/A
Socialist Labour 0 0 1,617 0.96% -0.43%
Scottish People's 0 0 793 0.47% N/A
Independent 0 0 353 0.21% +0.03
Rural Party 0 0 177 0.11% N/A

Changes:

1999 Scottish Parliament election

In the 1999 Scottish Parliament election the region elected MSPs as follows:

Constituency results

Scottish Parliament election, 1999: Highlands and Islands
Constituency Elected member Result
Argyll and Bute George Lyon Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber Fergus Ewing SNP win (new seat)
Moray Margaret Ewing SNP win (new seat)
Orkney Jim Wallace Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Ross, Skye and Inverness West John Farquhar Munro Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Shetland Tavish Scott Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Western Isles Alasdair Morrison Labour win (new seat)

Additional member results

Scottish Parliament election, 1999: Highlands and Islands
Party Elected candidates Seats +/− Votes % +/−%
SNP Winnie Ewing
Duncan Hamilton
2 N/A 55,593 27.73% N/A
Labour Peter Peacock
Maureen Macmillan
Rhoda Grant
3 N/A 51,371 25.47% N/A
Liberal Democrats 0 N/A 43,226 21.43% N/A
Conservative Jamie McGrigor
Mary Scanlon
2 N/A 30,122 14.94% N/A
Scottish Green 0 N/A 7,560 3.75% N/A
I Noble (Independent) 0 N/A 3,522 1.75% N/A
Socialist Labour 0 N/A 2,808 1.39% N/A
Highlands and Islands 0 N/A 2,607 1.29% N/A
Scottish Socialist Party 0 N/A 1,770 0.88% N/A
Robbie the Pict (Independent) 0 N/A 1,151 0.57% N/A
Independent 0 N/A 712 0.35% N/A
Natural Law 0 N/A 536 0.27% N/A
Independent 0 N/A 354 0.18% N/A

Footnotes

  1. Scottish Westminster constituencies were mostly replaced with new constituencies in 2005. See The 5th Periodical Report of the Boundary Commission for Scotland.
  2. Council areas are as defined in 1996, and were changed after the Scottish Parliament election, 2007.
  3. "Politicians, elections and democracy: Elections and voting: Scottish Parliamentary". Highland Council. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  4. "Your MSPs: Highlands & Islands" (PDF). Scottish Government. May 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
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