MP Charles Kennedy, retiring MSP John Farquhar Munro and veteran Party President Tom MacIver joined candidate Alan MacRae to launch the Lib Dem campaign for the new constituency of Cromarty, Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch on Saturday.

Members and supporters from all over the vast new seat – the largest in Scotland – gathered at the Victoria Park home of Ross County to get campaigning underway.

Charles Kennedy said:

“The Scottish Parliament has power over the future of our NHS, transport, our education system and our environment. Its economic powers are set to grow in the years ahead.

“The Highlands need a strong voice of our own in the Scottish Parliament who is focused on making a real difference for our area.

“Alan MacRae was born and raised locally. He is the only candidate of all the parties who lives in our vast constituency. I am confident he will listen to local people and give us an effective voice in Edinburgh. From his experience in business to his campaign to get Conon Station firmly back on the agenda, he has shown he has what it takes to make a difference.

Retiring MSP John Farquhar Munro said:

“I have a reputation for speaking my mind. I have no doubt at all in saying that Alan MacRae is the best candidate to represent our area in the next Parliament. We need a local MSP who will always put people in the Highlands before party politics.”

After being formally adopted as candidate, Mr MacRae said:

“It’s a huge honour to have the chance to fight for the area where I grew up – in the campaign ahead and beyond.

“The support of Charles Kennedy, John Farquhar Munro and Tom MacIver means a great deal to me. I will work very hard to carry on the tradition of open-minded, outward-looking Highland liberalism which they represent.

“I have already spoken to thousands of local people on doorsteps across Ross, Cromarty, Skye, Lochaber, Loch Ness-side and Badenoch. I am really looking forward to meeting thousands more people in the next few weeks to talk about how we can build a fairer and more prosperous future for the Highlands.”