Liberal Democrat Julie Calder wins Wick and East Caithness by-election

The new Highland councillor took 1,522 first-preference votes on a 30% turnout.

Daily Alba · 2 October 2026 · 2 min read

Illustrative image of an election count hall with ballot boxes. Illustrative image, not a photograph of the reported event.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Julie Calder has been elected to Highland Council for Ward 3, Wick and East Caithness, the John O’Groat Journal reports.

The result

Ms Calder received 1,522 first-preference votes. Independent Dave Buchanan was second with 714, followed by John Glen (SNP) on 424, Iain Richmond (Reform UK) on 283 and Charlotte Gibson (Conservative) on 79.

Turnout

Of an electorate of 10,169, 3,051 ballot papers were returned, a turnout of 30%. Pupils from Wick High School helped open the ballot boxes at the Assembly Rooms count.

Context

The ward is also represented by council leader Raymond Bremner. Ms Calder thanked voters and said the hard work starts now, with council elections due again next year.

Source & attribution: This original report is based on John O’Groat Journal, published 2 October 2026. This is not independent on-the-ground reporting.