Home   Authors   Author

Scott Maclennan


Political Reporter

Scott MacLennan is the political reporter for all the Highland titles at Highland News and Media. The Scottish Press Awards named him Weekly Journalist of the Year in 2024 for his coverage of the A9 dualling, 999 failings and pupil safety at a north school. 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

Scott Maclennan

Will SNP maintain nuclear objection at Dounreay after Wales gets £2.5bn for new reactor

13 November 2025
Will SNP maintain nuclear objection at Dounreay after Wales gets £2.5bn for new reactor

Will SNP maintain nuclear objection at Dounreay after Wales gets £2.5bn for new reactor

13 November 2025

Jamie Stone says it ‘puts the ball firmly in the Scottish Government’s court’ with Anglesey to get an estimated 3000 jobs.


Council launches Highland-wide bid to create Repair Cafes with £500,000 fund

11 November 2025
Council launches Highland-wide bid to create Repair Cafes with £500,000 fund

Council launches Highland-wide bid to create Repair Cafes with £500,000 fund

11 November 2025

It is open to community groups aimed at tackling landfill waste and boosting skills.


Highland Council is still overpaying staff by £224k as bosses fail to record changes with payroll

11 November 2025
Highland Council is still overpaying staff by £224k as bosses fail to record changes with payroll

Highland Council is still overpaying staff by £224k as bosses fail to record changes with payroll

11 November 2025

The health and social care, and education are the worst culprits with 80% of overpayments.


EXCLUSIVE: SNP ministers left red-faced by Scottish Government’s ‘massive U-turn’ on Caithness maternity

07 November 2025
EXCLUSIVE: SNP ministers left red-faced by Scottish Government’s ‘massive U-turn’ on Caithness maternity

EXCLUSIVE: SNP ministers left red-faced by Scottish Government’s ‘massive U-turn’ on Caithness maternity

07 November 2025

As recently as September health minister Jenni Minto dismissed the call for an independent review but the move is still welcomed.


Caithness maternity campaigners win major battle for independent review as SNP finally cave-in

05 November 2025
Caithness maternity campaigners win major battle for independent review as SNP finally cave-in

Caithness maternity campaigners win major battle for independent review as SNP finally cave-in

05 November 2025

LibDem leader says Scottish Government ‘finally bowed to years of pressure from the Caithness Health Action Team and my party’.


SNP rejects referendum…. but only on the break-up of Highland Council

31 October 2025
SNP rejects referendum…. but only on the break-up of Highland Council

SNP rejects referendum…. but only on the break-up of Highland Council

31 October 2025

An attempt was made to give the public the chance to say definitively if they want smaller councils or not.


Highland Council £36.7 million black hole branded an ‘embarrassment’

31 October 2025
Highland Council £36.7 million black hole branded an ‘embarrassment’

Highland Council £36.7 million black hole branded an ‘embarrassment’

31 October 2025

The overspend rises over three years with adult social care and class contact time for teachers two difficult areas.


NHS Highland lost 40,000 nurse and midwife staff days due to ‘mental health crisis’

28 October 2025
NHS Highland lost 40,000 nurse and midwife staff days due to ‘mental health crisis’

NHS Highland lost 40,000 nurse and midwife staff days due to ‘mental health crisis’

28 October 2025

Highland Liberal Democrats warn nurses and midwives are ‘being pushed beyond reasonable limits’.


Highland school abuse and violence rockets 500% in five years sparking bid for protections for teachers

27 October 2025
Highland school abuse and violence rockets 500% in five years sparking bid for protections for teachers

Highland school abuse and violence rockets 500% in five years sparking bid for protections for teachers

27 October 2025

But officials worry about pupils ‘marginalised as a result of their behaviour’ amid demand for council to recognise ‘serious problem’.


December D-Day looming for Highland Council’s controversial visitor levy

24 October 2025
December D-Day looming for Highland Council’s controversial visitor levy

December D-Day looming for Highland Council’s controversial visitor levy

24 October 2025

The ‘update’ comes amid mounting pressure from critics who say now is the right time to pause the scheme.


Bid to get Scottish Government to dual A9 from Tore to Dornoch Bridge set for Highland Council debate

24 October 2025
Bid to get Scottish Government to dual A9 from Tore to Dornoch Bridge set for Highland Council debate

Bid to get Scottish Government to dual A9 from Tore to Dornoch Bridge set for Highland Council debate

24 October 2025

But based on rough estimates of the current programme suggest it could cost more than £1.4 billion.


Highland Council Break-Up: Call for a referendum so public can decide

24 October 2025
Highland Council Break-Up: Call for a referendum so public can decide

Highland Council Break-Up: Call for a referendum so public can decide

24 October 2025

Amid questions over ‘the effectiveness, accountability and local responsiveness’ of the local authority.


LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton aims to tame bad city-centric government policies

23 October 2025
LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton aims to tame bad city-centric government policies

LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton aims to tame bad city-centric government policies

23 October 2025

A bid for rural impact assessments in legislation the party agreed at its recent Glasgow conference will avoid ‘unintended consequences’.


Tain glass company Glasstorm helps raise £1.1 million at auction of Glenlivet, Old Pulteney and Glen Grant malts

23 October 2025
Tain glass company Glasstorm helps raise £1.1 million at auction of Glenlivet, Old Pulteney and Glen Grant malts

Tain glass company Glasstorm helps raise £1.1 million at auction of Glenlivet, Old Pulteney and Glen Grant malts

23 October 2025

The cash from The Distillers One of One event goes to Youth Action Scotland while seeking to celebrate the national drink.


Angus MacDonald and Kate Forbes are to host a cross-party conference on the Highland care crisis

20 October 2025
Angus MacDonald and Kate Forbes are to host a cross-party conference on the Highland care crisis

Angus MacDonald and Kate Forbes are to host a cross-party conference on the Highland care crisis

20 October 2025

The LibDem and Deputy First Minister join forces to find solutions to the sector’s major problems.


Highland Liberal Democrats want new law to strengthen rural areas and defend against centralisation

17 October 2025
Highland Liberal Democrats want new law to strengthen rural areas and defend against centralisation

Highland Liberal Democrats want new law to strengthen rural areas and defend against centralisation

17 October 2025

The move would see a mainland equivalent of the Islands Act which delivered more protections and better representation.


Flagship Highland Council anti-poverty measures “left in tatters” with no real funding before 2027

17 October 2025
Flagship Highland Council anti-poverty measures “left in tatters” with no real funding before 2027

Flagship Highland Council anti-poverty measures “left in tatters” with no real funding before 2027

17 October 2025

An estimated £70m in benefits are likely to go unclaimed leaving thousands of hard-pressed Highlanders out of pocket.


Leading Highland GP fears ‘fragmented’ care under First Minister’s walk-in GP clinics plan

17 October 2025
Leading Highland GP fears ‘fragmented’ care under First Minister’s walk-in GP clinics plan

Leading Highland GP fears ‘fragmented’ care under First Minister’s walk-in GP clinics plan

17 October 2025

Dr Chris Williams is concerned the 15 sites may ‘not necessarily reduce pressure on core GP services’.


Push for independent Caithness maternity review is ramped-up by campaigners

10 October 2025
Push for independent Caithness maternity review is ramped-up by campaigners

Push for independent Caithness maternity review is ramped-up by campaigners

10 October 2025

NHS Highland called on to furnish Scottish Government with information for a decision.


Highland nursery whistleblower awarded £400k after losing job over concerns about autistic boy’s treatment

10 October 2025
Highland nursery whistleblower awarded £400k after losing job over concerns about autistic boy’s treatment

Highland nursery whistleblower awarded £400k after losing job over concerns about autistic boy’s treatment

10 October 2025

Judge slams Inverness-based Care and Learning Alliance for the ‘warning to anyone who raises genuine concerns’.


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