Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber (Scottish Parliament constituency) facts for kids

Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber was an area in Scotland that had its own representative in the Scottish Parliament. This special area was called a "constituency." From 1999 until 2011, people living in Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber voted for one person to be their voice in the Scottish Parliament. This person was called a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).

The way MSPs were chosen in this constituency was called "first past the post." This means the candidate who got the most votes won, even if they didn't get more than half of all the votes.

Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber was also part of a bigger area called the Highlands and Islands electoral region. This region had eight constituencies in total. Besides the MSPs elected by "first past the post" in each constituency, the region also elected seven extra MSPs. This system helped make sure that the number of MSPs from each political party in the region was more fair, reflecting how people voted overall.

After 2011, this constituency was changed. Its area was split up and became part of two new constituencies: Inverness and Nairn and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.

Quick facts for kids Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber
Former county constituency for the Scottish Parliament
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber shown within the Highlands and Islands electoral region and the region shown within Scotland
Former constituency
Created	1999
Abolished	2011
Council area	Highland
Replaced by	Inverness & Nairn, Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch

Highlands and Islands Electoral Region

The Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber constituency was part of the Highlands and Islands electoral region. This region is a large area in Scotland.

The other seven constituencies in this region were:

• Argyll and Bute
• Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
• Moray
• Orkney
• Ross, Skye and Inverness West
• Shetland
• Western Isles

This large region covers most of the Argyll and Bute council area, all of the Highland council area, most of the Moray council area, all of the Orkney council area, all of the Shetland council area, and all of Na h-Eileanan Siar.

Constituency Boundaries

The Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber constituency was created in 1999. Its boundaries were based on an older constituency that sent a representative to the UK Parliament in London.

However, in 2005, the UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland were changed. So, the area of the Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber constituency was then covered by two different UK Parliament constituencies: the Ross, Skye and Lochaber Westminster constituency and the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Westminster constituency.

The Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber constituency was one of three constituencies that covered the Highland council area. The other two were Ross, Skye and Inverness West and Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. All three of these constituencies were part of the Highlands and Islands electoral region.

Member of the Scottish Parliament

The person who represented Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber in the Scottish Parliament was Fergus Ewing. He was a member of the Scottish National Party.

Election Results

Here are the results from the elections held in the Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber constituency. These results show which candidates and parties people voted for.

2007 Scottish Parliament Election

In the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, Fergus Ewing of the Scottish National Party won the election. He received the most votes.

2003 Scottish Parliament Election

In the 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Fergus Ewing of the Scottish National Party also won. He continued to be the MSP for the area.

1999 Scottish Parliament Election

The very first election for the Scottish Parliament in this constituency was in 1999. Fergus Ewing of the Scottish National Party was elected as the first MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber.