Home   Authors   Author

Scott Maclennan


Political Reporter

Scott MacLennan is the political reporter for the Highland titles at Highland News and Media. He joined the company in 2019. Scott went to university in Glasgow and Moscow and reports on the Highland Council, NHS Highland and the Scottish Parliament.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant secures SNP pledge for full Highland human rights debate

17 January 2025
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant secures SNP pledge for full Highland human rights debate

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant secures SNP pledge for full Highland human rights debate

17 January 2025

The Scottish Human Rights Commission found ‘not a single human right’ is met in the region ‘under international law’.


Holyrood debate hears SNP credibility on the line amid fresh A9 dualling delay concerns

16 January 2025
Holyrood debate hears SNP credibility on the line amid fresh A9 dualling delay concerns

Holyrood debate hears SNP credibility on the line amid fresh A9 dualling delay concerns

16 January 2025

Fergus Ewing warns ‘never make the same mistake twice when you can make it five or six times and be sure’.


Inverness demonstration demands ‘Highland Council Think Again’ over visitor levy

15 January 2025
Inverness demonstration demands ‘Highland Council Think Again’ over visitor levy

Inverness demonstration demands ‘Highland Council Think Again’ over visitor levy

15 January 2025

The march through the city was launched after a meeting between hospitality businesses and the council at Eden Court.


Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, hospitality sector says

15 January 2025
Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, hospitality sector says

Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, hospitality sector says

15 January 2025

Business leader Colin Marr says ‘I can't think of another tax which has taxes on top of it’.


1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy

11 January 2025
1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy

1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy

11 January 2025

The association fears it will be ‘an extra tax on visitors and locals’ while evidence from abroad argues it will not put tourists off visiting.


Far north records coldest temperature in the UK with -18.5C – the chilliest January night in 15 years

11 January 2025
Far north records coldest temperature in the UK with -18.5C – the chilliest January night in 15 years

Far north records coldest temperature in the UK with -18.5C – the chilliest January night in 15 years

11 January 2025

Altnaharra, Loch Glascarnoch, Lairg and Aviemore all saw the mercury plunging to negative double digits.


No Caithness date for Transport Scotland events on cutting speed limit by 10mph

09 January 2025
No Caithness date for Transport Scotland events on cutting speed limit by 10mph

No Caithness date for Transport Scotland events on cutting speed limit by 10mph

09 January 2025

But goods vehicles could see the speed limit increase on single and dual carriageways by 10mph.


Highland Council launches a five-week region-wide 20mph zone consultation

06 January 2025
Highland Council launches a five-week region-wide 20mph zone consultation

Highland Council launches a five-week region-wide 20mph zone consultation

06 January 2025

The public has until February 25 to make their views known as critics slam the scheme as a waste of money.


UPDATE: A9 just south of Thurso fully open after a collision closed the road early this morning

06 January 2025
UPDATE: A9 just south of Thurso fully open after a collision closed the road early this morning

UPDATE: A9 just south of Thurso fully open after a collision closed the road early this morning

06 January 2025

Traffic Scotland says incident happened near Shalmstry but confirmed ‘all lanes are now running as normal’.


Thurso ‘POD’ plans to be ramped up – with changes to school catchments among possible outcomes

04 January 2025
Thurso ‘POD’ plans to be ramped up – with changes to school catchments among possible outcomes

Thurso ‘POD’ plans to be ramped up – with changes to school catchments among possible outcomes

04 January 2025

Plans to change the face of education in Thurso remain at the centre of the Highland Investment Programme – worth £2.1 billion over 20 years.


£133m extra NHS Highland cash – but nothing for Caithness maternity situation

31 December 2024
£133m extra NHS Highland cash – but nothing for Caithness maternity situation

£133m extra NHS Highland cash – but nothing for Caithness maternity situation

31 December 2024

Hopes that maternity services in Caithness might get a boost when the government announced an extra £133 million for NHS Highland have been dashed.


Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

19 December 2024
Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

19 December 2024

Allegations of secrecy emerged during what critics fear is the last financial update until ‘10 days before the budget is set’.


Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

18 December 2024
Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

18 December 2024

Highland Council unanimously backs the move after region lost 218 beds in two years.


Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

18 December 2024
Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

18 December 2024

Councillor Helen Crawford says ‘people are starting to say that the education committee is dysfunctional’.


Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

17 December 2024
Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

17 December 2024

A bid to improve information triggered a furious reaction from administration councillors.


No apology from council leader over the loss of £713,000 in taxpayers’ cash

16 December 2024
No apology from council leader over the loss of £713,000 in taxpayers’ cash

No apology from council leader over the loss of £713,000 in taxpayers’ cash

16 December 2024

The request was made at a full council meeting over the ‘unwanted, unneeded and unwelcome Academy Street fiasco’.


National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

15 December 2024
National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

15 December 2024

Finance bosses fear that the Westminster may fall far short of making up the loss they imposed adding a significant budget pressure.


Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

13 December 2024
Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

13 December 2024

The council insists that it is one of most improved local authorities in Scotland.


Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

12 December 2024
Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

12 December 2024

Most councillors backed a move that will see the whole region run from Inverness despite widespread dissatisfaction.


Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

11 December 2024
Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

11 December 2024

Most of that has been recovered but £396,000 is yet to be returned.


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More