Angus MacDonald has gained the newly-formed Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire seat for the Lib Dems in another blow to the SNP.
Adding more problems for the nationalists, Mr MacDonald defeated Drew Hendry by a margin of 2,160 votes.
Mr Hendry had been seeking a fourth successive term as an MP.
The result was paused for a day after problems counting the ballots on Friday.
Lib Dem success in the Highlands
His new constituency is a combination of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey – which Mr Hendry had represented since May 2015 – and Ross, Skye and Lochaber.
The latter was represented by former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who stood down.
High-profile Lib Dems Charles Kennedy and Danny Alexander have been previous winners in these parts and there was a lot of anticipation that the party might win again under Highland councillor Angus MacDonald.
And so it proved to be the case, with a particularly strong showing for the Lib Dems in Lochaber and Skye.
Labour’s Michael Perera was third with 6,246 votes and Reform UK’s Dillan Hill came forth with 2,934 votes.
In his speech, the newly elected MP thanked voters for putting their faith in him.
He said: “I would like to thank the voters of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire for electing me as your Member of Parliament.
“I appreciate what an honour this is and a pleasure to represent everyone in the constituency with all my being.
“I would like to thank Drew Hendry and Ian Blackford for representing this area since 2015 and for their efforts to serve the community. I wish them all the best for the next stage in their lives.”
He took a moment to thank his parents for instilling in him a “strong sense of right and wrong” and praised the support shown by his wife Michie and four sons, Archie, Jack, Jamie and Donald.
Speaking to The Press and Journal, Mr MacDonald said he was “elated” to have secured the seat following a “professional and energetic campaign.”
He added: “I’m elated and relieved that the process is over as it has been a long 18 months and a very tense 48 hours.
“I think there are a lot of people who are ready to get rid of the SNP and I’m delighted to be the person they’ve chosen.”
Lib Dems MP to strive for Highland investments
Looking ahead to the future, he says he hopes constituents will regard him as a cohesive and hard-working MP as he strives to play a key role in delivering substantial infrastructure improvements, including greater transport links.
He aims to secure ‘significant transportation links and improvements between Inverness and the west coast and the south.’
He concluded: “I think they would struggle to find somebody with such a love of the Highlands and an ambition to make things better for the people of the Highlands.”
His victory came just 24 hours after Drew Hendry issued a statement conceding defeat and wishing his successor well.
He said: “It has been an absolute joy to serve the people of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey for the past 9 years.
“I am obviously disappointed not to be continuing that representation under the new Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire boundary and wish the new MP every success in his new role.
“People need an MP who will fight for their needs both local and at UK level and during this cost-of-living crisis, they have never needed help and assistance more.”
Drew Hendry missed the recount due to an “unmovable prior commitment.”
What does the new constituency cover?
The new constituency covers a huge geographical area – second only to its northern neighbour Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
That constituency was won by another Lib Dem, Jamie Stone, who triumphed with a thumping majority of 10,000.
Inverness is now on the far eastern edge of the region. It stretches as far east as Ardersier, ending before you reach Castle Stuart.
It covers as far south as Fort William and the west coast mainland all the way up to Poolewe.
As well as Skye, the new boundary also includes the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Canna, Muck and Sanday.
Who is Angus MacDonald?
Mr MacDonald was elected as a Highland councillor for the first time in 2022, representing the Fort William and Ardnamurchan ward.
He was brought up in Glencoe and served three years as a lieutenant in the Queens Own Highlanders.
Mr Hendry was formerly the SNP’s economy spokesman in Westminster.
The role gave him a focus on the cost-of-living crisis, energy and economic growth.
Prior to his election in 2015, the 60-year-old politician served as the leader of Highland Council.
He defeated Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury and an MP for 10 years, with a 10,000 majority.
That majority was cut to under 5,000 by Tory hopeful Nicholas Tulloch in the 2017 election.
However, he restored his 10,000 in the December 2019 election, securing more than 26,000 votes.
It was a similar story for Ian Blackford in Ross, Skye and Lochaber.
The Lib Dems slipped to third in 2017 and lost by more than 9,000 votes in 2019 – meaning tonight’s showing was a significant improvement.
Catch up with our full election coverage and all results in our round-up here.
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