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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

Raigmore Hospital’s maxed-out intensive care unit sparks concerns about bed space

03 June 2025
Raigmore Hospital’s maxed-out intensive care unit sparks concerns about bed space

Raigmore Hospital’s maxed-out intensive care unit sparks concerns about bed space

03 June 2025

Inverness and Nairn Lib Dem candidate Neil Alexander warn of ‘growing crisis’ in north healthcare


Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

01 June 2025
Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

01 June 2025

The total bill for the local authority’s highest earners has risen five fold in the last five years.


Twin probes launched into alleged attack on shinty player (17) by spectator during match

30 May 2025
Twin probes launched into alleged attack on shinty player (17) by spectator during match

Twin probes launched into alleged attack on shinty player (17) by spectator during match

30 May 2025

Incident is said to have happened on Saturday during the Kinlochshiel v Caberfeidh match


20mph limits agreed amid criticism of Highland Council’s ‘ostrich school of consultation’

29 May 2025
20mph limits agreed amid criticism of Highland Council’s ‘ostrich school of consultation’

20mph limits agreed amid criticism of Highland Council’s ‘ostrich school of consultation’

29 May 2025

Opposition councillors sought a more nuanced approach including a review but administration bosses out voted them down.


Highland Council staff overpayments dropped by 77% in April this year compared to April 2024

28 May 2025
Highland Council staff overpayments dropped by 77% in April this year compared to April 2024

Highland Council staff overpayments dropped by 77% in April this year compared to April 2024

28 May 2025

But staff still got £624k more than they should despite tough new measures.


MSP slams Highland Council over 20mph limits after it lost public support for the plan

28 May 2025
MSP slams Highland Council over 20mph limits after it lost public support for the plan

MSP slams Highland Council over 20mph limits after it lost public support for the plan

28 May 2025

Edward Mountain says original Transport Bill targeted high risk areas so people would comply with the new limits.


Highland Council’s 20mph speed limits plan set for decision day as most people oppose it

27 May 2025
Highland Council’s 20mph speed limits plan set for decision day as most people oppose it

Highland Council’s 20mph speed limits plan set for decision day as most people oppose it

27 May 2025

Officials insist ‘few people’ who actually support the scheme engage with consultation.


Highland Council school staff overpaid because sickness absences were not recorded

26 May 2025
Highland Council school staff overpaid because sickness absences were not recorded

Highland Council school staff overpaid because sickness absences were not recorded

26 May 2025

Development comes as audit finds £624,000 was wrongly paid to past and present staff.


Locals should be exempt from paying Highland Council’s visitor levy or ‘tourist tax’

24 May 2025
Locals should be exempt from paying Highland Council’s visitor levy or ‘tourist tax’

Locals should be exempt from paying Highland Council’s visitor levy or ‘tourist tax’

24 May 2025

MSP Douglas Ross who accused the SNP of failing to address concerns.


Highland Council is still overpaying staff by more than £624k a year

23 May 2025
Highland Council is still overpaying staff by more than £624k a year

Highland Council is still overpaying staff by more than £624k a year

23 May 2025

As it threatens to take one ex-employee to court despite cancelling a repayment meeting and not rescheduling.


Skye Highland councillor Ruraidh Stewart named as Scottish Conservative for Inverness and Nairn seat

23 May 2025
Skye Highland councillor Ruraidh Stewart named as Scottish Conservative for Inverness and Nairn seat

Skye Highland councillor Ruraidh Stewart named as Scottish Conservative for Inverness and Nairn seat

23 May 2025

So far he will face Labour’s Shaun Fraser, Lib Dem Neil Alexander, the SNP’s Emma Roddick and independent Duncan Macpherson.


With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

22 May 2025
With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

22 May 2025

The 200 per cent Council Tax charge on second homes is expected to generate £5.8m this year.


Hopes of ‘local homes for local people’ in Badenoch and Strathspey are dashed

22 May 2025
Hopes of ‘local homes for local people’ in Badenoch and Strathspey are dashed

Hopes of ‘local homes for local people’ in Badenoch and Strathspey are dashed

22 May 2025

Move to explore change in Highland Council’s housing allocation policy falls at first hurdle


Highland Council aims to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ for ‘those fleeing persecution and violence’

20 May 2025
Highland Council aims to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ for ‘those fleeing persecution and violence’

Highland Council aims to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ for ‘those fleeing persecution and violence’

20 May 2025

It means applying to be granted status for the City of Sanctuary Award.


Highland Council confirms 10% of staff grievances upheld – the same ratio who reported bullying

17 May 2025
Highland Council confirms 10% of staff grievances upheld – the same ratio who reported bullying

Highland Council confirms 10% of staff grievances upheld – the same ratio who reported bullying

17 May 2025

But bosses remain tight-lipped about the reason behind complaints.


With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

16 May 2025
With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

16 May 2025

The 200 per cent Council Tax charge on second homes is expected to generate £5.8m this year.


Highland Council takes a step closer to banning mobile phones in schools

16 May 2025
Highland Council takes a step closer to banning mobile phones in schools

Highland Council takes a step closer to banning mobile phones in schools

16 May 2025

Members unanimously wave through a move to consult on a new region-wide policy.


Highland Council has fifth worst roads in Scotland with maintenance shortfall estimate of £10 million a year

16 May 2025
Highland Council has fifth worst roads in Scotland with maintenance shortfall estimate of £10 million a year

Highland Council has fifth worst roads in Scotland with maintenance shortfall estimate of £10 million a year

16 May 2025

One councillor slams administration ‘hypocrisy’ over question to the leader who hits back saying he gave ‘an honest, factual answer’.


Determined mum overcomes ‘unutterably painful’ son's suicide to help improve New Craigs

16 May 2025
Determined mum overcomes ‘unutterably painful’ son's suicide to help improve New Craigs

Determined mum overcomes ‘unutterably painful’ son's suicide to help improve New Craigs

16 May 2025

Jacqui Waring worked with NHS Highland to deliver improvements after her son Will Ogilvy took his own life aged just 28.


Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election

15 May 2025
Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election

Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election

15 May 2025

She says that it has been an ‘honour’ to serve the region but it is ‘now time to make way for others’


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