Eilidh Munro has outlined a series of transport pledges ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May, setting out plans focused on road upgrades, safety measures and investment in public transport across Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
The SNP candidate said improving transport links is essential in a constituency where distance and geography shape everyday life for communities and businesses alike.
She has committed to working with Transport Scotland, HITRANS and local partners to progress long awaited upgrades to key routes including the A82 south of Fort William and the Road to the Isles.
Munro also said she would continue to press for progress on the A9 dualling programme, backed by a £200 million funding boost in the 2026 to 2027 Scottish Budget, while calling for improved safety measures at key junctions in the meantime.
“In a constituency as vast as Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, safe and reliable transport links are essential not just for our economy, but for the everyday lives of Highlanders.
“If elected, I will push for meaningful, urgent progress on road improvements, ensuring that investment reaches the areas that need it most.
“Funding for local roads has increased significantly under the current council administration, with over £21 million committed for 2026 to 2027 alone.
“This is helping to tackle long standing issues and shift priorities towards the areas in greatest need.
“However, after years of underinvestment under the previous Lib Dem independent council administration, there is a lot of essential work to catch up on.
“We also cannot ignore the impact Brexit continues to have on our ability to maintain and upgrade key infrastructure.
“Communities across the Highlands have lost out on millions of pounds worth of vital EU structural funding.
“This, along with capital funding cuts from Westminster in recent years, has made the challenge even more acute.
“We also need to keep investing in our public transport.
“The Scottish Government’s £2 bus fare cap pilot, launching in the Highlands on 23 March, is a welcome step, though I recognise that many parts of the constituency still need more regular bus services.
“Scrapping peak rail fares, and now freezing prices, is also helping with the cost of living while encouraging sustainable travel.
“If elected, I will push for the extension of free inter island ferry travel for under 22s to routes within the Highland Council area, ensuring our young people are not disadvantaged.”
Munro also highlighted her support for a road safety campaign led by Fort William resident Alan Knox MBE following the death of his son Lewis in a road traffic collision last year.
The campaign calls for the introduction of graduated driving licences, placing restrictions on new drivers during the first six months after passing their test.
“Alan is leading a powerful campaign that speaks for communities right across the Highlands.
“So many families have been devastated by traffic collisions on our roads.
“We need to be doing all we can to make our roads safer, through a multi pronged approach, with improvements to the roads themselves, information campaigns, and introducing measures like those Alan is campaigning for.
“I would urge the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government on exploring how licences of this kind could be introduced, as similar measures have been shown to work effectively in other countries, and indeed are due to be introduced in Northern Ireland.
“If introducing these measures were to save even one life, it would be more than worth it.”
Transport, safety and connectivity remain central issues across the Highlands, with candidates setting out their priorities ahead of the upcoming election.
Transport pledges focusing on road upgrades, safety measures and public transport have been outlined ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, highlighting the importance of connectivity across Highland communities.
