An SNP candidate has won a by-election for Argyll and Bute Council. The vacancy on the Mid-Argyll ward arose following the death of the authority’s provost, Dougie Philand, earlier this year. There were 1798 valid ballot papers received, with 18 rejected as spoiled, giving a percentage turnout of 29.4% Andy Buntin (SNP) was elected at stage five of the process, receiving 820 first preference votes.

Seven candidates have been confirmed for the by-election to be held by Argyll and Bute Council in the Mid Argyll ward next month. The poll will take place on Thursday, October 29, and was arranged after the passing of the area’s late provost, Douglas Philand. The list of candidates, published by the authority and in alphabetical order of surname as they will appear ont he ballot paper, is:

The SNP’s Jan Brown is the new provost of Argyll and Bute, with a bid to appoint a Conservative from Helensburgh to the role being defeated. Cllr Brown, who covers the Mid-Argyll ward, had been depute provost of the area since April 2024. Douglas Philand, who passed away last month, had been provost A roll call vote at a full council meeting today saw a motion moved by administration councillors prevail with 18 votes.

Tributes have been paid after the death of Argyll and Bute Council’s Provost Dougie Philand this week. An in dependent, Cllr Philand had represented the Mid-Argyll ward for 19 years. Depute Provost Jan Brown said she had heard the news with ‘huge sadness’. “He has been part of the council for such a long time that it is very difficult to imagine it without him,” she added.

Douglas Trevor Philand, known to many as Dougie, served the Mid Argyll area as a local councillor for 19 years and latterly held the office of Provost of Argyll and Bute.

Tributes have been paid to a former councillor who served his community for four decades. Donnie MacMillan, from Lochgilphead, died yesterday at the age of 98. He was awarded both the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2019, and subsequently the Freedom of Argyll and Bute in 2022. The council’s provost Dougie Philand said there was ‘deep sadness’ in the area.

A team of runners from all over the world ran into Helensburgh last week, bringing the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Relay to the town. Since being founded in 1987, the Run has visited almost every country on earth – over 170 nations and territories – and touched the lives of millions of people. On this visit to Helensburgh the runners were welcomed to the town by Argyll and Bute's Provost Dougie Philand, visit organiser Irene Sommerville and Helensburgh Central councillor Fiona Howard.