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

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.’


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

13 May 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

13 May 2025

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


Highland school mobile phone ban to be debated at the council amid call for policy on the issue

13 May 2025
Highland school mobile phone ban to be debated at the council amid call for policy on the issue

Highland school mobile phone ban to be debated at the council amid call for policy on the issue

13 May 2025

Councillors want a full consultation with pupils, parents, teachers and staff to support head teachers.


Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites power new Highland Scotrail Wi-Fi pilot

12 May 2025
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites power new Highland Scotrail Wi-Fi pilot

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites power new Highland Scotrail Wi-Fi pilot

12 May 2025

Business minister Richard Lochhead hails a major ‘boost for Highland commuters and visitors’.


PODCAST: North NHS compensation payments total £34m so we look at why

09 May 2025
PODCAST: North NHS compensation payments total £34m so we look at why

PODCAST: North NHS compensation payments total £34m so we look at why

09 May 2025

Listen to episode one of our brand new look at what is going on behind the headlines in Beyond the Briefing.


MSPs accuse NHS Highland of being too afraid of Scottish Government to fight to retain services

09 May 2025
MSPs accuse NHS Highland of being too afraid of Scottish Government to fight to retain services

MSPs accuse NHS Highland of being too afraid of Scottish Government to fight to retain services

09 May 2025

Edward Mountain and Fergus Ewing fear that losing services leads to ‘adverse outcomes’ for patients.


Former BBC broadcaster and poverty and trauma expert appointed to top Highland Council roles

08 May 2025
Former BBC broadcaster and poverty and trauma expert appointed to top Highland Council roles

Former BBC broadcaster and poverty and trauma expert appointed to top Highland Council roles

08 May 2025

Maggie Cunningham and Dr Jim McCormick will head up the £870,000 poverty and equality commission.


What do the next Holyrood elections hold for the Highlands?

07 May 2025
What do the next Holyrood elections hold for the Highlands?

What do the next Holyrood elections hold for the Highlands?

07 May 2025

Exactly one year away from the vote we look at what the region wants and what could change.


Scottish Government agrees 51 major energy projects across Highlands in just three years

06 May 2025
Scottish Government agrees 51 major energy projects across Highlands in just three years

Scottish Government agrees 51 major energy projects across Highlands in just three years

06 May 2025

Scottish Conservatives slam quango responsible for ‘industrial jungles’.


Ex-Caithness copper and MSP ‘shocked’ by neglected police stations

05 May 2025
Ex-Caithness copper and MSP ‘shocked’ by neglected police stations

Ex-Caithness copper and MSP ‘shocked’ by neglected police stations

05 May 2025

Tim Eagle says 113 police stations ‘are in need of repair or unfit for use’ telling John Swinney the ‘neglect must end’.


Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year

05 May 2025
Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year

Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year

05 May 2025

The Highland Council area ranked fourth in Scotland amounting to 7.5% of all total inquiries to the charity.


Top Highland Council staff pay costs rocket from £6.7m to £39.2m a year

02 May 2025
Top Highland Council staff pay costs rocket from £6.7m to £39.2m a year

Top Highland Council staff pay costs rocket from £6.7m to £39.2m a year

02 May 2025

That equates to a five fold rise over six years for those getting £60k or more a year.


Ambulance waits to admit patients to NHS Highland hospitals soars by 16%

01 May 2025
Ambulance waits to admit patients to NHS Highland hospitals soars by 16%

Ambulance waits to admit patients to NHS Highland hospitals soars by 16%

01 May 2025

That has delayed crews by a total 14,544 hours last year – the equivalent of 606 days.


New map identifies sheer scale of Highland renewables projects including 1305 applications after months long battle by local councillor

30 April 2025
New map identifies sheer scale of Highland renewables projects including 1305 applications after months long battle by local councillor

New map identifies sheer scale of Highland renewables projects including 1305 applications after months long battle by local councillor

30 April 2025

Helen Crawford says it is a ‘good day for democracy’ as she sought to keep communities informed of the wave of projects planned for the region.


Work starts on £185m Tomatin-Moy section of A9 dualling in year the programme was due to be finished

30 April 2025
Work starts on £185m Tomatin-Moy section of A9 dualling in year the programme was due to be finished

Work starts on £185m Tomatin-Moy section of A9 dualling in year the programme was due to be finished

30 April 2025

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop says she has her ‘foot to the floor’ and is determined to see it through.


Highland schools’ unisex toilets under ‘priority’ review

28 April 2025
Highland schools’ unisex toilets under ‘priority’ review

Highland schools’ unisex toilets under ‘priority’ review

28 April 2025

It is understood Alness Academy, Wick High, Inverness Royal Academy and Charleston Academy have gender neutral toilets.


MSP hopeful urges Highland Council to halt ‘damaging’ motorhome pass scheme

26 April 2025
MSP hopeful urges Highland Council to halt ‘damaging’ motorhome pass scheme

MSP hopeful urges Highland Council to halt ‘damaging’ motorhome pass scheme

26 April 2025

LibDem candidate David Green fears the council is ‘effectively driving business away’ from local operators.


How much did your MP spend on expenses in their first nine months in office?

25 April 2025
How much did your MP spend on expenses in their first nine months in office?

How much did your MP spend on expenses in their first nine months in office?

25 April 2025

The recent figures show how much was spent by each new Westminster representative since the general election.


NHS Highland and NHS Grampian paid out a combined £34m in patient compensation

19 April 2025
NHS Highland and NHS Grampian paid out a combined £34m in patient compensation

NHS Highland and NHS Grampian paid out a combined £34m in patient compensation

19 April 2025

Scottish Government is slammed for leaving ‘frontline NHS staff dangerously overstretched and more prone to making mistakes’.


Andrew Baxter says he can beat Kate Forbes because ‘the political tide is turning’

07 April 2025
Andrew Baxter says he can beat Kate Forbes because ‘the political tide is turning’

Andrew Baxter says he can beat Kate Forbes because ‘the political tide is turning’

07 April 2025

The challenger for 2026 believes the seat is competitive ‘because my opponent is very much part of the problem’.


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