Donald Macauley Independent Sandy Matheson Independent The third election to the Western Isles Islands Council was held on 6 May 1982 as part of the wider 1982 Scottish regional elections.

Of the councils 30 councillors, 19 were elected unopposed.

[1] Five incumbent councillors were defeated in the election, including Education Committee Chair Kathleen Macaskill.

[2] Following the election, Alexander Matheson, the final Provost of Stornoway Town Council prior to its abolition in 1975, unseated incumbent Convener Donald Macaulay in their third successive contest for the position.

Macaulay was subsequently elected Matheson's Vice-Convener after a 15-15 council vote was decided by lot.