A coalition of the 17-member SNP group and 34 Independents is set to form the first administration to run Highland Council.

A coalition of the 17-member SNP group and 34 Independents is set to form the first administration to run Highland Council.

The biggest political group, the 22 Liberal Democrat councillors, are likely to form the first organised opposition along with seven Labour counterparts when the 80-member council meets for the first time next week.

The numerical supremacy of the Independents on Highland Council, and its predecessor Highland Regional Council, has always been overwhelming, but they never formed an administration.

Until last autumn, when the spectre of the new multi-member ward loomed, they had never even met as a group. Sandy Park, formerly the Independent Provost of Nairn, is likely to be council convener with Jean Urquhart, SNP councillor from Ullapool, vice-convener.

Mr Park said last night: "The Independents are independent and some people might ask why we had to join up with a political party, but it was a numbers game. I think it will work out as a tremendous partnership, but there will be a serious opposition."

Meanwhile, the SNP has taken control of another of Labour's heartland local authorities, and helped remove them from power in the capital. Deals between the LibDems and the SNP will see the parties unite to take power in Renfrewshire and Edinburgh. The SNP will now become part of a council administration in the capital for the first time. After they were tied on 17 councillors each in Renfrewshire, Labour and the SNP attempted to woo LibDem leader Eileen McCartin and her three colleagues.

Derek MacKay, SNP leader, said: "This really is a a fresh start for Renfrewshire, and hopefully the beginning of a new era in local politics." Eileen McCartin, LibDem group leader, said: "Much of the policy of the Liberal Democrats and the SNP group at a local level have similar themes, and I believe we can take forward many of the issues we have fought so hard for."

In Edinburgh, the LibDems have agreed a deal with the SNP to run the capital's council after no party achieved a majority. The 17 LibDem councillors joined the 12 Nationalists leaving them one short of a majority, but voting support from the 11 Tories will allow them to elect a leader and Provost, and form the administration - pushing the 15 Labour councillors into opposition.