Former Aviemore ski instructor elected to Highland Council
A former Aviemore ski instructor has been elected Highland Councillor for the Inverness South ward.
Liberal Democrat candidate Carolyn Caddick, who grew up in Aviemore and whose father Jack Dryburgh was the manager of the old ice rink, won the seat at the end of a keenly contested by-election in the Highland Capital.
At the end of a nail-biting count, she achieved a majority of 7 votes over the SNP’s Ken Gowans, winning by a margin of 1091 votes to 1084. The Inverness South ward includes Tomatin and Moy.
Commenting on her victory, Carolyn, a former ski instructor on CairnGorm Mountain, said: "The count was an exciting finish to a hard-fought election campaign. I’ve hugely enjoyed the chance to speak to so many people about their aspirations for the future of our part of the Highlands.
"It is a huge honour to have been elected to represent my local community on the Highland Council. I will work hard on all of the issues that have been at the heart of my campaign: improving the strained transport links serving the south of the city; making sure we invest in education for our future; and getting the facilities that new communities like Inshes and Milton of Leys need.
"I hope, as a start, that NHS Highland will take the opportunity to revisit their decision to refuse a pharmacy licence for Milton of Leys."
She added: "This was a very close election result, but it shows that those who have written off the Liberal Democrats in the Highlands should think again. Local Liberal Democrat councillors work hard for their communities on the issues that directly affect people’s lives – and that approach continues to win new support."
Local Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander added: "Highland Liberal Democrats have a great reputation for standing up for our local communities. I look forward to working with Carolyn to do just that for Inverness South.
"This result shows the SNP can’t afford to take local people for granted. We were promised progress on the key transport links serving the Highland Capital in the election in May. Excuses aren’t enough – Scottish Ministers need to deliver."
