Exclusive:Alex Salmond's Alba Party left with just one councillor after Highland Council member quits

Karl Rosie is no longer listed as an Alba representative on the Highland Council website.

The Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor is now listed as a ‘Highland Independent’.

It means that South Ayrshire councillor Chris Cullen is the party’s only elected representative.

Lib Dem Scottish Affairs spokesperson Susan Murray said: "Alba are an inch away from being an ex-party.

"Even with Alex Salmond in charge, it couldn't really get off the ground. Without him it seems to be dead in the water.

"What Scotland needs is a party who are focused on getting you access to healthcare and tackling the cost of living crisis, that's what Scottish Liberal Democrats offer."

Former SNP minister Ash Regan had been the party’s only ever MSP but quit Alba in October over concerns about the party’s “direction”.

Mr Rosie had only been in Alba since March 2024, when he defected from the SNP.

Until July last year Alba had two MPs - Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey - but they were beaten at the general election.

Alba was led by former SNP first minister Alex Salmond from 2021 until his death in 2024.

It has never had any candidates directly elected. All representatives it has ever had have defected from the SNP.

Edinburgh Eastern MSP Ms Regan lost the Alba leadership contest earlier this year to Mr MacAskill.

The party stood candidates in 19 constituencies across Scotland last year but every single one lost their deposit.

An ALBA Party Spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank Karl for his contribution to ALBA since joining the Party. “This is a personal decision based on his local circumstances. We look forward to continuing to both support and cooperate with him.”

Mr Rosie was approached for comment.