A fresh voice is heading to Highland Council after voters in Cromarty Firth chose Richard Cross as their new councillor.
The by‑election took place on Thursday 19 June, with the results announced the following morning during a live webcast.
Nine candidates stood in the contest, but it was Richard Cross, running as an Independent, who won the confidence of local voters.
The election used the single transferable vote system, with Cross declared the winner at stage nine of the count.
Turnout came in at 24.7 percent, a modest but meaningful show of civic participation.
Cross now joins the team representing Ward 6 on The Highland Council, working alongside Sinclair Coghill of the Highland Alliance, Tamala Collier of the SNP, and John Edmondson of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
His win brings a fresh perspective to the council chambers, one not bound by party lines.
The Cromarty Firth ward covers a wide and diverse area, from industrious shorelines to thriving rural communities.
Many residents will now be looking to Cross to champion the local causes that matter most reliable services, infrastructure investment and sustainable development among them.
As an Independent, he brings a unique ability to work across divides and focus squarely on the needs of his constituents.
There is something quietly powerful about this result.
In a field packed with party affiliations, it was a candidate without a label who came through.
That says something about how Highland voters value independence of thought and community connection over party politics.
Cross’s campaign drew on local priorities and practical concerns.
He spoke often about protecting public services, supporting community enterprise and ensuring that smaller voices are not lost in the wider Highland conversation.
Now that campaign becomes a mandate.
The task ahead will be challenging.
Cromarty Firth, like much of the Highlands, faces pressure from national policies and local realities alike.
But with a mixed group of councillors at the table, and a newly elected Independent bringing balance, there is hope for collaborative progress.
Richard Cross will be formally welcomed to the council in the coming days.
For now, his election marks a turning point for Ward 6.
It is a reminder that even on a turnout under 25 percent, every vote still matters.
Local democracy, when taken seriously, can shift the future of a community.
The people of Cromarty Firth have spoken.
Now begins the work.
