Independent candidate John Murray has been elected as the new Highland councillor for East Sutherland and Edderton after winning Thursday’s by election following five rounds of counting.

The result was declared on Friday morning at Dornoch Academy after voters across the ward went to the polls to choose a successor for the vacant council seat.

Mr Murray emerged victorious at stage five of the single transferable vote count, becoming the newest member of The Highland Council representing Ward 4 alongside fellow councillors Richard Gale and Leslie Anne Niven.

A total of 2,615 ballot papers were cast from an electorate of 6,587, giving a turnout of 39.7 per cent, with 18 ballot papers rejected during the count.

The quota required for election was 1,299 votes.

On first preference votes, John Murray led the field with 1,044 votes, ahead of Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Eric De Venny on 854, Scottish National Party candidate Rebecca Machin on 452, Reform UK candidate Jay Ayrey on 188 and Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Eva Short on 59.

Although no candidate reached the quota on first preferences, the redistribution of votes over successive rounds saw Mr Murray secure election at the fifth stage of the count.

The by election attracted candidates from across the political spectrum alongside an independent challenge, with voters using Scotland’s single transferable vote system to rank candidates in order of preference.

Mr Murray now takes his place on The Highland Council at a time when local authorities continue to face significant financial pressures while dealing with issues including housing, education, transport and economic development across the region.

The result means East Sutherland and Edderton will continue to be represented by a three member team on The Highland Council, with Mr Murray joining Councillors Richard Gale and Leslie Anne Niven in serving communities across the ward.