Eilidh Munro in bid to succeed Kate Forbes on the SNP ticket in 2026 as she is one of the final two candidates with party members set to start voting this weekend
The race to succeed Kate Forbes on the SNP ticket is beginning to heat up as Eilidh Munro has revealed she is one of the final two candidates with party members set to start voting this weekend.
The name of the second candidate has not yet been confirmed.
Last month, Deputy First Minister Forbes became the highest profile SNP MSP to confirm she would not be standing again in the 2026 Holyrood elections citing a wish to spend more time with her young daughter.
Since then those in the Highlands have been scratching their heads about who might replace her on the ballot for May’s election to face LibDem contender Andrew Baxter and the Tories Helen Crawford.
Ms Munro, a Gaelic speaker and musician who has two young sons and family connections across the constituency, has spoken of her desire to engage fully with the local SNP membership during the selection process and the subsequent campaign.
She said: “I am honoured to have been nominated by the constituency association to appear on the ballot, which opens at the end of this week, as SNP members decide who should be the SNP candidate for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency in next May’s elections.
“As a Gaelic speaker and traditional musician, I want to serve Highland communities and safeguard our heritage. I've got two little boys, and I know how important it is to invest in the next generation.
"I'm standing on a strong track record of SNP delivery in the Highlands and Islands, with significant investment in affordable housing, building two new hospitals in Broadford and Aviemore and tackling child poverty.
“However, there are undoubtedly challenges facing households and businesses, with the cost-of-living eating into wages and more people struggling to afford heating. There are plans to build more homes, complete the new hospital in Fort William and finish dualling the A9.
“I am delighted to be in the running to champion this constituency, and I look forward to engaging with local members over the next few weeks as they make their decision. I want to hear from branch members about the issues that matter to them, and make plans for an energetic and positive campaign.
"I believe I am well-placed to be a strong voice for the Highlands at the Scottish Parliament, advocating on constituents’ behalf and fighting to achieve Scotland’s independence.”