Voters went to the polls in Highland Perthshire on Thursday to cast their vote in a by-election which could swing the balance of power across the whole of Perth and Kinross.
The successful candidate will replace the late Ian Campbell, former leader of Perth and Kinross Council, who died in February following a short battle with cancer.
The result of the Highland ward by-election could prove pivotal if SNP candidate John Kellas wins the seat.
The present Tory-led council administration holds power in Perth and Kinross by a majority of one. The Scottish Conservatives have 16 councillors with the SNP having 15.
The administration partnership was formed after the last council elections with the support of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Labour, and Independent councillors.
On Thursday, residents in the ward visited the various polling stations set up in Ballinluig, Pitlochry, Grandtully, Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl, Kenmore, Aberfeldy, Fearnan and Kinloch Rannoch to cast their votes.
Mr Campbell, 66, died in February. He had been a Scottish Conservative councillor for the Highland ward for a decade but had only been council leader for around 10 months.
The candidates in the Highland ward are: Denise Baykal (Independent), John Duff (Scottish Conservative), John Kellas (SNP), Mary McDougall (Scottish Greens), Jayne Ramage (Scottish Labour), Chris Rennie (Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Avril Taylor (Independent).
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said the by-election count will begin at 9am on Friday.
