Buckie farmer Tim Eagle becomes an MSP
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Buckie farmer has become a list Member of the Scottish Parliament for a constituency that includes most of Moray within its boundaries.
Tim Eagle will represent the Highlands and Islands for the Scottish Conservatives.
He replaces Donald Cameron who has been appointed to the House of Lords.
Speaking today, Mr Eagle said: "I am honoured and thrilled to officially become a MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
"I also want to pay tribute to Donald Cameron who was a strong voice for nearly eight years for the region in Holyrood on so many issues.
"As somebody who has represented rural and remote communities before as a councillor, I am acutely aware of the challenges they face and how this central-belt obsessed SNP-Green government has let them down at every turn.
"In my own area of Moray, they have left Dr Gray’s without consultant-led maternity services for almost six years, slashed our council budget year after year and overseen the closure of GP services."
Mr Eagle represented the Buckie ward on Moray Council from 2017 to 2022 and was the local Conservative group leader.
He stood for election to Holyrood in 2021 but was defeated by Richard Lochhead.
Douglas Ross, the party's national leader, welcomed Mr Eagle to the fold.
He said: "I have known Tim for many years, from his days as a councillor in Moray as well as his work in agriculture and rural consultancy.
"I have no doubt that he will be a fantastic representative for the Highlands and Islands."
