Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire is a county constituency serving the House of Commons in the UK Parliament. Established as part of the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies—the process of redefining electoral boundaries to ensure fair representation—this seat was first contested during the 2024 general election.
The constituency gained significant attention during the 2024 election cycle, becoming the final seat in the United Kingdom to announce its result. This delay was caused by multiple recounts necessitated by technical issues during the vote-counting process.
Key Facts
- Member of Parliament: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrats).
- Created: 2024.
- Electorate: 76,903 (as of March 2020).
- Major Settlements: Inverness and Fort William.
- Predecessor Seats: Formed from Ross, Skye and Lochaber and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
Constituency Boundaries and Composition
The constituency is situated within the Highland council area and is composed of a mix of urban centers and expansive rural landscapes. The majority of the electorate resides in the city and suburbs of Inverness, a population previously part of the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency. The rural Highland regions and the Isle of Skye were integrated from the now-abolished Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency.
The specific administrative wards included are:
- Full inclusion: Eilean a' Cheò, Caol and Mallaig, Inverness Central, Inverness Millburn, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness South, and Inverness West.
- Partial inclusion: Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (specifically the Lochalsh and west Ross-shire areas); Aird and Loch Ness (excluding The Aird area); Culloden and Ardersier (the area surrounding Culloden); and Fort William and Ardnamurchan (northeastern parts, including Fort William).
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Election Results and Political Transition
In the 2024 general election, the seat was won by Angus MacDonald of the Liberal Democrats. MacDonald defeated Drew Hendry of the SNP, who had previously served as the MP for the predecessor seat of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey from 2015 to 2024.
To understand the political landscape prior to the 2024 vote, analysts used a notional result—an estimate of how the 2019 general election would have looked if the new 2023 boundaries had been in place at that time.
| Party | Votes | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| SNP | 24,717 | 48.7 |
| Conservative | 11,852 | 23.3 |
| Liberal Democrats | 7,677 | 15.1 |
| Labour | 4,771 | 9.4 |
| Brexit Party | 1,042 | 2.1 |
| Scottish Greens | 724 | 1.4 |
The notional 2019 data showed a majority of 12,865 (25.3%) for the SNP, with a total turnout of 50,783 voters (66.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire?
The current Member of Parliament is Angus MacDonald, representing the Liberal Democrats.
When was this constituency created?
The constituency was created in 2024 following the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies conducted by the Boundary Commission for Scotland.
Why was the 2024 result announced so late?
It was the final constituency to declare its result due to technical issues during the vote-counting process, which led to multiple recounts.
Which previous constituencies were used to form this new seat?
It was formed from parts of the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency and the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency.
What are the main towns and cities in this constituency?
The major settlements within the boundaries are Inverness and Fort William.