About Helen Crawford
Professional background
Since 2022, Councillor Helen Crawford has represented the people of Aird and Loch Ness with a focus on justice, community, and local democracy.
A Highlander, Helen’s journey began at Alness Academy. Her drive to make a difference led her to study Law at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Glasgow. After a number of years as a partner in a law firm in Shetland, Helen was contracted by the Foreign Office, working extensively across the Balkans, supporting emerging institutions in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Helen then returned to the Highlands to establish her own business in Beauly and raise her family. As a business owner, she understands the challenges faced by local traders and has been a vocal advocate for stronger support for high streets and fairer business rates.
Helen advocates for education reform having campaigned for Highland Council to declare a School Estate Emergency, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to improve school conditions across the region. In 2022, she successfully led the fight to reverse the prevailing partner rate payable to Early Learning and Childcare - ensuring that vital local services remain sustainable.
She is a prominent campaigner against large scale, unchecked mega pylon related developments and engaged with more than 60 Community Councils and numerous groups across the region, arguing that The Highlands needs stronger representation and an MSP that will listen and act on behalf of adversely impacted communities. She organised and chaired two Conventions on the Impact of Energy Infrastructure on communities and, at the last Convention in Inverness in August she secured signatures from 11 MPs and MSPs to commit to obtaining urgent debates in Westminster and Holyrood to discuss these impacts. Helen is calling for applications to be paused until a clear national policy on energy infrastructure and the cumulative impacts is published by Government.