The declaration came late for Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey but the results were resounding.
A majority of more than 10,000 majority secured victory for the SNP’s Drew Hendry, with Scottish Conservative candidate Dr Fiona Fawcett in second place and the Lib Dems breathing a sigh of relief to come third.
Mr Hendry took 26,247 votes, increasing his majority by 5,205 votes.
His victory was announced to deafening cheers from the many SNP supporters on the count floor.
His closest rival, Dr Fawcett took 15,807, thanking the candidates for a clean fight and promising Mr Hendry to “get you next time.”
Mr Hendry described his victory as a rejection of Brexit, and “a clear sign that we value our national health service.”
He said: “There is a need to end austerity and bring an end to six years of austerity brought by Universal Credit right here in this constituency to an end.
“It’s about time for that to stop.
“This is a thumping endorsement as we’ve seen across Scotland for the right of the Scottish people to choose their own future.
“The SNP in this election have won a new and renewed, strident mandate for the independence reference referendum and nothing could make the political climate more clear than the results across the UK tonight.
“It is right for that voice to be heard.”
LibDem candidate, Lochaber councillor Denis Rixson said: “We’re no longer in fourth position, we’re in third which is a plus.
“I brought the climate change argument to people, something which resonates with young people and I’m keen to pursue that both in my council role and the wider political arena in the future.”
