1986 Highland Regional Council election

1986 Highland Regional Council election

8 May 1986 (1986-05-08)
All 52 seats to Highland Regional Council 27 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Blank Blank Blank Party Independent Labour SNP Last election 42 seats, 70.9% 5 seats, 14.7% 2 seat, 9.5% Seats won 36 7 3 Seat change Decrease6 Increase2 Increase1 Popular vote 22,884 4,510 1,993 Percentage 73.0% 14.4% 6.4% Swing Increase2.1% Decrease0.3% Decrease3.1%   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   Blank Blank Blank Party Alliance Conservative Independent Labour Last election 2 seats, 4.9% 1 seat, 0.0% Did Not Stand Seats won 3 2 1 Seat change Increase1 Increase1 Increase1 Popular vote 824 700 422 Percentage 2.6% 2.2% 1.3% Swing Decrease2.3% Increase2.2% New
Council Convener before election Ian Campbell Independent Council Convener after election Sandy Russell Alliance

The 1986 Highland Regional Council election to the Highland Regional Council was held on 8 May 1986 as part of the wider 1986 Scottish regional elections. The election saw Independents win control of 36 of the council's 52 seats. Turnout was 42.1% in contested electoral districts. Only half of the regions electoral districts were contested.

Aggregate results

Highland Regional election, 1986
Turnout: 42.1%

Party		Seats	Gains	Losses	Net gain/loss	Seats %	Votes %	Votes	+/−
	Independent	36			Decrease6		73.0	22,884	Increase2.1
	Labour	7			Increase2		14.4	4,510	Decrease0.3
	SNP	3			Increase1		6.4	1,993	Decrease3.1
	Alliance	3			Increase1		2.6	824	Decrease2.3
	Conservative	2			Increase1		2.2	700	Increase2.2
	Independent Labour	1			Increase1		1.3	422	New