[2] The Highland Council (Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd in Gaelic) had become a local government authority in 1996, when the two-tier system of regions and districts was abolished and the Highland region became a unitary council area, under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994.
The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross corporate management area consists of seven wards represented by 23 councillors.
The Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey corporate management area consists of nine wards represented by 34 councillors.
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber corporate management area consists of six wards represented by 23 councillors.
Some large changes were made prior to the 2017 Highland Council election, most notably in the Caithness area.