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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.

Former Highland Council staff say they were ‘intimidated’ after being paid despite leaving

26 November 2024
Former Highland Council staff say they were ‘intimidated’ after being paid despite leaving

Former Highland Council staff say they were ‘intimidated’ after being paid despite leaving

26 November 2024

One of them was told to attend a meeting for an interview with council investigators ‘under caution’.


Is Kate Forbes’ seat now ‘competitive’ after huge Lib Dem council by-election win?

22 November 2024
Is Kate Forbes’ seat now ‘competitive’ after huge Lib Dem council by-election win?

Is Kate Forbes’ seat now ‘competitive’ after huge Lib Dem council by-election win?

22 November 2024

Leading Lib Dems have confidence in a Highland revival as Councillor Andrew Baxter got 58 per cent of the vote.


Highland Council says it only overpaid ex-staff £614k not £863k as originally feared

22 November 2024
Highland Council says it only overpaid ex-staff £614k not £863k as originally feared

Highland Council says it only overpaid ex-staff £614k not £863k as originally feared

22 November 2024

The bureaucratic blunder emerged because the local authority was not checking ‘to confirm the existence of its staff’.


Highland pupils at a ‘disadvantage’ as attainment falls in years S4 to S6

19 November 2024
Highland pupils at a ‘disadvantage’ as attainment falls in years S4 to S6

Highland pupils at a ‘disadvantage’ as attainment falls in years S4 to S6

19 November 2024

New figures show the north is behind the national average in 13 out of 15 areas.


Highland Council’s tourist tax consultation goes live tomorrow amid cost concerns

14 November 2024
Highland Council’s tourist tax consultation goes live tomorrow amid cost concerns

Highland Council’s tourist tax consultation goes live tomorrow amid cost concerns

14 November 2024

They relate to charges and their implications for both residents staying locally and small operators.


Call for radical changes to compulsory purchase and tax to tackle Highland housing crisis

14 November 2024
Call for radical changes to compulsory purchase and tax to tackle Highland housing crisis

Call for radical changes to compulsory purchase and tax to tackle Highland housing crisis

14 November 2024

Community Land Scotland chairwoman Ailsa Raeburn warns ‘availability of homes now at crisis level’.


Fergus Ewing confirms he intends to stand again for Holyrood

13 November 2024
Fergus Ewing confirms he intends to stand again for Holyrood

Fergus Ewing confirms he intends to stand again for Holyrood

13 November 2024

Strathspey MSP jokes: ‘I am a mere whipper snapper’


Westminster and Holyrood hopeful John Erskine launches bid to become Labour MSP

08 November 2024
Westminster and Holyrood hopeful John Erskine launches bid to become Labour MSP

Westminster and Holyrood hopeful John Erskine launches bid to become Labour MSP

08 November 2024

He kicked off his 2026 campaign with an attack on Fergus Ewing and Kate Forbes.


The tourist tax is back on Highland Council’s agenda as battle lines are drawn

08 November 2024
The tourist tax is back on Highland Council’s agenda as battle lines are drawn

The tourist tax is back on Highland Council’s agenda as battle lines are drawn

08 November 2024

Hospitality fears it could put people off visiting but others question why locals foot the bill for mass tourism.


Highland Hospice dealt major blow by Labour’s National Insurance hikes

07 November 2024
Highland Hospice dealt major blow by Labour’s National Insurance hikes

Highland Hospice dealt major blow by Labour’s National Insurance hikes

07 November 2024

MP Angus MacDonald warns impacts will also be felt by ‘many care homes, pharmacies, doctors surgeries and dentist clinics’.


A&E target missed at Raigmore in August leaving 1200 patients waiting

06 November 2024
A&E target missed at Raigmore in August leaving 1200 patients waiting

A&E target missed at Raigmore in August leaving 1200 patients waiting

06 November 2024

NHS Highland missed the Scottish Government’s 95 per cent target with just under 40% of patients waiting more than four hours.


Council cracks the whip on traders selling vapes and cigarettes to underage buyers

05 November 2024
Council cracks the whip on traders selling vapes and cigarettes to underage buyers

Council cracks the whip on traders selling vapes and cigarettes to underage buyers

05 November 2024

Two banning orders were made this year so far and at least £2600 in fines issued.


Critics slam Highland Council limiting responses to its social media posts

05 November 2024
Critics slam Highland Council limiting responses to its social media posts

Critics slam Highland Council limiting responses to its social media posts

05 November 2024

The council’s ‘thanks, but no thanks’ approach was dubbed ‘heavy handed’ by one councillor


Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands

05 November 2024
Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands

Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands

05 November 2024

The council is issuing a call for views covering almost all transport options in the north.


Hundreds of Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees found shelter in the Highlands

05 November 2024
Hundreds of Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees found shelter in the Highlands

Hundreds of Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees found shelter in the Highlands

05 November 2024

Cameron Barracks and 7 hotels as well as MoD properties were all used to accommodate displaced persons.


A9 INQUIRY: Lack of transparency and financial indecision doomed dualling

01 November 2024
A9 INQUIRY: Lack of transparency and financial indecision doomed dualling

A9 INQUIRY: Lack of transparency and financial indecision doomed dualling

01 November 2024

Campaigner Laura Hansler says ‘it goes beyond disrespect… it was just a complete disregard for our lives and our safety’


A9 inquiry ‘unconvinced’ the Scottish Government learned its lesson after dualling got off track

01 November 2024
A9 inquiry ‘unconvinced’ the Scottish Government learned its lesson after dualling got off track

A9 inquiry ‘unconvinced’ the Scottish Government learned its lesson after dualling got off track

01 November 2024

MSP Jackson Carlaw says ‘this is, quite frankly, unacceptable for those who live and work in Northern Scotland’


Political reaction to the UK budget – has the chancellor piled the pressure on the SNP?

30 October 2024
Political reaction to the UK budget – has the chancellor piled the pressure on the SNP?

Political reaction to the UK budget – has the chancellor piled the pressure on the SNP?

30 October 2024

Or has Rachel Reeves devastated Highland farming, whisky, business and employment?


Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims Scotland will get an additional £3.4 billion

30 October 2024
Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims Scotland will get an additional £3.4 billion

Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims Scotland will get an additional £3.4 billion

30 October 2024

But what does that mean for the Highlands including vital sectors like the whisky industry?


Transport Scotland spent £300 million maintaining A9 since SNP came to power

29 October 2024
Transport Scotland spent £300 million maintaining A9 since SNP came to power

Transport Scotland spent £300 million maintaining A9 since SNP came to power

29 October 2024

The average cost is steadily rising from over £14m for the first five years to more than £22 million for the last five.


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