Geographically, this is the second largest constituency in the country, stretching from Mallaig on the west coast along the Great Glen to Inverness on the east. It takes in Fort William, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, the Cairngorms, the Aviemore ski resort and salmon and whisky country on the river Spey, making it a prime region for tourists. Off-shore oil industries are common around Inverness, and although demand for off-shore services is now declining new light industries are emerging.
Transport is a major concern for the people of Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber: they have been particularly affected by high fuel prices and are also campaigning for the reinstatement of the air link between Heathrow and Inverness airports.
It was held by the Liberals/Alliance/LibDems from 1964 when Sir Russell Johnston took it from the Tories until David Stewart won it for Labour in 1997. This was the only constituency that the SNP managed to win in the Scottish Parliament elections which they did not already hold in Westminster.