Gail Ross

Early life

Ross grew up in Reiss and Wick, Caithness. She studied in Glasgow, first a combination of advertising and PR, later English and psychology.

Political career

She joined the SNP in 1997. She was first elected to Highland council in a by-election in 2011. At the time her success was considered a breakthrough for the SNP. She was re-elected in May 2012.

Civic leader

In May 2012, following re-election to Highland Council, she became the civic leader of Caithness.

In August 2015, Ross spoke out against the Grindadráp, a Faroese traditional celebration of whaling, suggesting that on account of this that Wick should reconsider their twinning arrangement with the town of Klaksvík. Ross wrote to the mayor of Klaksvík to raise her concerns that the whaling was not something that Wick should be associated with. In January 2016 the matter was brought to the Highland Council, which led to an intervention from Klaksvík's mayor. The council deferred making a decision.

Scottish Parliament

In August 2015, she was announced as the SNP candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, in place of the retiring Rob Gibson. She has called for increased provision of ambulances in Caithness. She has highlighted the need for affordable housing in the Highlands. In May 2016 she was elected with a majority of 3,913. The following month she was elected as the deputy convener of the Rural Affairs and Connectivity Committee.

In November 2016 she resigned her position on Highland council after other Caithness councillors called for an independent review into the introduction of midwife-led maternity services in their area made by NHS Highland.

Executive positions

She is a member of the board of North Highland College.

Personal life

She is married to a teacher and they have a son together.