The Scottish Conservative Party has announced the selection of Councillor Ruraidh Stewart as the party’s candidate for Inverness and Nairn in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

Full statement

The announcement was made at a well-attended meeting of local members in Inverness.

Born and raised in the Highlands, Ruraidh Stewart has spent his life living and working in the region. A respected figure in Highland politics, he made history in 2022 by becoming the first Conservative elected to represent Skye on Highland Council. As Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council, Stewart has earned a reputation for principled, energetic leadership and his ability to connect across communities with a practical, people-first approach.

"I am honoured to have been selected as the Scottish Conservative candidate for Inverness and Nairn," said Mr Stewart. "Other than my time studying in St Andrews, the Highlands have always been home. I've lived here and worked here and I understand the challenges we face but I also see the resilience, pride, and potential in our communities and I’m committed to standing up for them in Holyrood."

Mr Stewart’s campaign will focus on restoring trust in government, reversing centralisation, and delivering for Highland communities. He has consistently opposed SNP policies that he argues ignore the distinct needs of the Highlands.

"Our communities deserve support that’s flexible, local, and respectful of their unique needs. Sadly, we’ve seen too much centralisation under the SNP—decisions being made in Edinburgh that simply don’t fit the realities of life in the Highlands. It’s time to bring power and trust back to our local areas, where we know what works best for our families, our services, and our future."

"Let’s be honest about where things stand," said Mr Stewart. "The A9 was supposed to be fully dualled by 2025—now we’re being told it might not be finished until 2035, or even later. At Raigmore Hospital, one in five patients are waiting more than 12 weeks just to be seen as outpatients. NHS Highland is under real strain, with staffing shortages reaching 25% in some of our most remote communities. Meanwhile, roads continue to deteriorate and ferries sit idle in shipyards, all while SNP ministers seem more focused on spinning headlines than actually fixing the problems that matter to people here in the Highlands."

"People in Inverness, Nairn, and across the Highlands aren’t asking for the moon. They just want roads that are safe, healthcare that’s accessible, and local services that actually work. They deserve a government that listens, acts, and delivers."

"While the SNP obsesses over yet another divisive referendum, they’ve taken their eye off the ball. It’s Highland families who are left picking up the pieces."

With deep roots in the Highlands, a proven record of principled leadership, and a commitment to restoring common-sense government, Ruraidh Stewart offers a dynamic and credible alternative to the status quo at Holyrood.