Inverness and Nairn: Scottish Parliament Constituency Profile
Inverness and Nairn is a county constituency of the Scottish Parliament located within the Highland council area. Established in 2011, the seat serves as a critical political hub for the Highlands, electing a single Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) to represent its residents in Holyrood.
The constituency operates under a dual-layered electoral system. While the constituency MSP is elected via the first past the post method—where the candidate with the most votes wins—it is also part of the larger Highlands and Islands electoral region. This region utilizes the additional-member system, a form of proportional representation that elects seven additional regional members to complement the eight constituency MSPs.
Key Facts
- Current MSP: Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party)
- Created: 2011
- Electorate: 67,352 (as of 2026)
- Electoral Region: Highlands and Islands
- Council Area: Highland
- Predecessor Seats: Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber; Ross, Skye & Inverness West
Political History and Representation
From its inception in 2011 until 2026, the seat was held by Fergus Ewing of the Scottish National Party (SNP), who transitioned into the role from the former Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber seat. However, following Ewing's departure from the SNP in June 2025, the political landscape shifted.
In the May 2026 Scottish Parliament election, Emma Roddick of the SNP defeated the independent Fergus Ewing by a margin of 9.1%. Notably, the combined vote share for pro-independence candidates in this contest reached 51.7%.
Constituency Boundaries and Geography
The Highland council area is divided into three Scottish Parliament constituencies: Caithness, Sutherland and Ross; Inverness and Nairn; and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
Initial 2011 Boundaries
When first formed, the constituency was defined by the full inclusion of the following electoral wards: Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-Side, Inverness Millburn, Inverness South, Culloden and Ardersier, and Nairn and Cawdor. It also included a portion of the Badenoch and Strathspey ward.
2025 Boundary Revisions
Due to population growth, the second periodic review of boundaries in 2025 resulted in slight alterations. The Badenoch and Strathspey ward—including the villages of Grantown on Spey, Carrbridge, and Boat of Garten—was transferred to the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency.
The current boundaries now consist of the full wards of Inverness West, Central, Ness-Side, Millburn, South, Culloden and Ardersier, and Nairn and Cawdor, while sharing the Aird and Loch Ness ward with Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
Electoral Summary
The following table summarizes the representation of the Inverness and Nairn seat since its creation.
| Election Year | Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Fergus Ewing | SNP |
| 2026 | Emma Roddick | SNP |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current MSP for Inverness and Nairn?
The current MSP is Emma Roddick, representing the Scottish National Party (SNP), following the May 2026 election.
How is the MSP for this constituency elected?
The constituency MSP is elected using the first past the post method, meaning the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the seat.
Which electoral region does Inverness and Nairn belong to?
It is one of eight constituencies within the Highlands and Islands electoral region.
Why were the constituency boundaries changed in 2025?
The boundaries were altered during the second periodic review to account for an increase in the electorate, leading to the transfer of the Badenoch and Strathspey ward to a neighboring constituency.
What other constituencies represent the Highland council area?
Alongside Inverness and Nairn, the Highland council area is represented by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.