Infographic: SNP become the largest party in Highland Council holding steady as have the Conservatives but the big winners are the Liberal Democrats and the Greens while Independent seats fall by seven
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The SNP are now the largest group at Highland Council after a solid showing that saw their numbers hold at 22 councillors.
They scored two remarkable wins placing two SNP candidates each in Ward 5: Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh and Ward 14: Inverness Central.
The number of Independent councillors without a party affiliation fell by seven leaving them as the second biggest group with 21 seats.
The biggest winners proportionally were the Liberal Democrats who added five seats and are now on 15 and the Greens who quadrupled their tally.
The Conservatives held firm as well at 10 sears despite a massive gamble by group leader Councillor Andrew Jarvie, which ultimately paid off.
He chose to leave the safe seat of Inverness South and seek election in Wick and East Caithness, where he faced off against the SNP group leader Raymond Bremner.
And Labour secured two seats – one less than 2017.
There were a number of upsets but perhaps the biggest was in Tain and Easter Ross where well-respected Cllr Fiona Robertson was not elected.
In Badenoch and Strathspey, the Highlands first ever Greens councillor, Pippa Hadley was also not returned despite an upswing in people voting for the party.
Four more women became councillors than in 2017 bringing the total to 29.
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