Andrew Baxter has been selected as the party’s candidate for its key target of Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.

The seat significantly overlaps with the UK Parliament constituency of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire which was won by Liberal Democrat Angus MacDonald at the recent election.

Andrew Baxter is a well-known and hard-working community campaigner in South Lochaber, campaigning tirelessly on issues such campaigning tirelessly for rural communities to get a better deal from Highland Council and the Scottish Government and fighting for long-overdue investment in the Corran Ferry service. He has previously worked as a tour guide and ran his village post office in Kinlochleven for 17 years.

He now works in Fort William as Chief of Staff for Angus MacDonald MP.

At the recent Fort William and Ardnamurchan by-election in November 2024, Andrew was successfully elected with 58.9% of first-preference votes to the SNP’s 25.5%.

The current MSP for the seat is Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

Andrew said:

So many people feel like nothing works anymore and that politicians aren’t on their side.

I am committed to listening to the people and communities that make up Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch and giving my all to make sure they have the representation they deserve.

Under the SNP, our NHS has deteriorated, local schools are left in disrepair, and the cost of living has risen, making day-to-day life harder for everyone.

It’s time for change. I want to build on the success of Angus MacDonald in the recent UK parliament election and work to make life easier, fairer and more affordable for everyone who lives here.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

Andrew will be a great MSP. He has the experience and energy to represent Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch, and will speak up for residents on the issues that matter most, like swift access to local healthcare and well-funded local services.

Last summer Angus MacDonald pushed the SNP back into second place and returned Charles Kennedy’s seat to the Liberal Democrat fold.

Having campaigned alongside Andrew, I know that he is cut from the same cloth. His astonishing by-election victory last November showed that local people trust him to fight their corner.

This is now a top target for my party at next year’s Scottish Parliament election. Voters will have a choice, a hardworking local champion in Andrew Baxter or more of the same with the SNP.