RECAP: Watch the Scotsman's sixth election virtual hustings here

Former Greens MSP Andy Wightman will continue his push to win election as an independent candidate by appearing in tonight’s sixth Scotsman election virtual hustings.

The MSP, who quit the Greens at the end of last year, has moved to Lochaber and is running on the Highland and Islands regional list.

Mr Wightman, who was one of the committee members involved in the Alex Salmond inquiry, is one of six candidates who are contesting The Scotsman’s hustings in the Highlands and Islands regional list area.

You can watch the recorded event right here at the top of this page.

The Scotsman is holding its sixth election hustings in the Highlands and Islands regional list area

The one-hour hustings will start from 6:30pm tonight.

Mr Wightman citing concerns over “intolerance” of some party members over the transgender debate in quitting the Greens.

He said at the time of announcing his election plans: “It is very hard to be elected as an independent candidate. I will need 12-15,000 votes across the Highlands and Islands.

Independent candidate Andy Wightman. Picture: Jon Savage

“I will be relying on a grassroots campaign of supporters who are able to mobilise voters by word of mouth and social media.”

Three other incumbent MSPs will also appear on the hustings.

Conservatives MSP Edward Mountain, Labour’s Rhoda Grant and the SNP’s Maree Todd are also confirmed as hustings participants.

The Greens’ Ariane Burgess and former MP Alan Reid (Liberal Democrats) complete the list.

The Stornoway Gazette has been relaunched under new editors

The hustings coincides with the relaunch of The Scotsman’s sister title and Islands publication, the Stornoway Gazette.

The first edition of the relaunched newspaper under new editors Murray MacLeod and Scotsman columnist and the founding editor of the West Highland Free Press, Brian Wilson, was published on Thursday.

Under new editorial leadership, the Stornoway team has put together a team of columnists and contributors who will bring insights and opinions from across politics, current affairs and lifestyle.

Mr Wilson, whose ministerial career also included becoming the first designated Minister for Gaelic to help bring closer together the Gaelic-speaking communities of Scotland and Ireland, will be reporting on a range of island affairs in both Gaelic and English.

Stornoway Gazette editor Murray MacLeod

He said: "There are very distinctive Highlands and Islands issues which are in danger of getting lost in an election campaigns, so it is welcome that the Scotsman is promoting a hustings event for the region.

"While issues like ferry services and rural housing shortages do not matter much in the Central Belt, they are extremely important to many people in the Highlands and Islands, particularly in current circumstances, with so little opportunity for contact between candidates.

“The chance to hear and question the parties has particular value.”

The eight-part hustings series has so far covered the Lothians, South of Scotland, West Scotland, Glasgow and Central Scotland, and is running in the countdown to the Scottish elections on May 6.

The Scotsman is taking viewers from their own homes, living rooms and offices, across the length and breadth of the country as we visit all eight parliamentary regions.

Readers can also watch the virtual hustings by visiting The Scotsman’s Facebook page.

They can also submit questions for the candidates by emailing them to [email protected] and including their full name, age, location and occupation.