RESULTS: Blackford coasts to victory as Lib Dem Jamie Stone clings on; SNP's Ian Blackford returned in Ross, Skye and Lochaber; Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross held narrowly by Stone

THE SNP's Ian Blackford has held his Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat with a thumping 9443 majority while Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone has clung on to his Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency by just 204 votes.

With the Conservative Party heading for a clear majority at Westminster, the political map of the Highlands remains unchanged with the SNP's Drew Hendry also returned.

Mr Blackford took a 48.3 per cent share of the vote with 19,263 votes, well clear of the Lib Dem's Craig Harrow, who polled 9820.

The gain in votes for both came at the expense of the Conservatives and Labour who both lost share. Gavin Berkenheger polled 6900 for the Tories with Labour's John Erskine claiming 2448.

In Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone held on with a 204-vote majority over SNP challenger Karl Rosie – 11,705 votes to 11,501.

Again there was a swing away from the other two main poltical parties with the Conservative's Andrew Sinclair in third with 5176 votes and Labour's Cheryl McDonald in third slot with 1936 votes.

There was jubilation for the SNP in Scotland with the party making major gains and claiming the political scalp of Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has already said he won't lead his party into the next election.

The big picture across the UK is a return to power for Boris Johnson with a big majority.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has called the SNP's landslide in Scotland a mandate for a second independence referendum.

More to follow.

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