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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

Highland Council rejects Scottish Government plans to cut speed limit for cars but backs increasing it for HGVs

10 February 2025
Highland Council rejects Scottish Government plans to cut speed limit for cars but backs increasing it for HGVs

Highland Council rejects Scottish Government plans to cut speed limit for cars but backs increasing it for HGVs

10 February 2025

The response cites ‘significant length of national speed limit road network and remoteness’ of the area.


SSE’s Great Glen ‘hydro cascade’ continues with Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro scheme

02 February 2025
SSE’s Great Glen ‘hydro cascade’ continues with Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro scheme

SSE’s Great Glen ‘hydro cascade’ continues with Loch Fearna pumped storage hydro scheme

02 February 2025

The project aims to build two dams to hold 40 million cubic litres of water with a move forward on planning application.


Police launch appeal to trace 55-year-old Dawn Robinson reported missing in Inverness

02 February 2025
Police launch appeal to trace 55-year-old Dawn Robinson reported missing in Inverness

Police launch appeal to trace 55-year-old Dawn Robinson reported missing in Inverness

02 February 2025

She was last seen around 8.25am on Saturday February 1 in the Academy Street area of the city.


A9 Moy and Carrbridge roadwork delays and restrictions reminder for motorists

02 February 2025
A9 Moy and Carrbridge roadwork delays and restrictions reminder for motorists

A9 Moy and Carrbridge roadwork delays and restrictions reminder for motorists

02 February 2025

Lanes at those locations are ‘restricted in both directions due to continuous essential roadworks’.


Highland Council agrees 8% rent hike amid tenants concerns about ‘affordability’

29 January 2025
Highland Council agrees 8% rent hike amid tenants concerns about ‘affordability’

Highland Council agrees 8% rent hike amid tenants concerns about ‘affordability’

29 January 2025

The ‘significant burden’ of loan charges consumes 43% of the budget while 31% goes on repairs and maintenance.


NHS Highland PR boss joins Highland Council’s £1.7 million management team

29 January 2025
NHS Highland PR boss joins Highland Council’s £1.7 million management team

NHS Highland PR boss joins Highland Council’s £1.7 million management team

29 January 2025

Ruth Fry takes up £109k chief officer job while Paul Reid takes on fleet and facilities


Tenants’ Union backs for Highland Council visitor levy but demands revenue is spent on housing crisis

28 January 2025
Tenants’ Union backs for Highland Council visitor levy but demands revenue is spent on housing crisis

Tenants’ Union backs for Highland Council visitor levy but demands revenue is spent on housing crisis

28 January 2025

The group Living Rent says ‘addressing housing inequality takes priority over expanding an already booming tourist sector’.


Visitor levy spat sees Lib Dem Andrew Baxter tell unnamed SNP councillor to ‘go back to school’

28 January 2025
Visitor levy spat sees Lib Dem Andrew Baxter tell unnamed SNP councillor to ‘go back to school’

Visitor levy spat sees Lib Dem Andrew Baxter tell unnamed SNP councillor to ‘go back to school’

28 January 2025

It comes amid misinformation claims that the law compels its introduction when it does not.


Double digit rise in sex crimes and anti-social behaviour reported by Highland cops

27 January 2025
Double digit rise in sex crimes and anti-social behaviour reported by Highland cops

Double digit rise in sex crimes and anti-social behaviour reported by Highland cops

27 January 2025

The rises of 19 per cent and 28 per cent come after Chief Superintendent Rob Shepherd warned “something has to give”.


Police Scotland reports 18 Highland drug deaths amid rise in dealing offences

26 January 2025
Police Scotland reports 18 Highland drug deaths amid rise in dealing offences

Police Scotland reports 18 Highland drug deaths amid rise in dealing offences

26 January 2025

Chief Superintendent Robert Shepherd says the numbers are of ‘significant concern’


Highland Council to invest millions to secure more than 20 burial sites

26 January 2025
Highland Council to invest millions to secure more than 20 burial sites

Highland Council to invest millions to secure more than 20 burial sites

26 January 2025

The move will see almost all areas of the region receive new or expanded sites.


Highland police ‘success’ tackling County Lines drug gangs from Liverpool behind 2023 violence

26 January 2025
Highland police ‘success’ tackling County Lines drug gangs from Liverpool behind 2023 violence

Highland police ‘success’ tackling County Lines drug gangs from Liverpool behind 2023 violence

26 January 2025

Key to the approach is working the Merseyside officers to tackle those dealing in the north.


Delayed discharge saw NHS Highland patient stuck in hospital for over four years

26 January 2025
Delayed discharge saw NHS Highland patient stuck in hospital for over four years

Delayed discharge saw NHS Highland patient stuck in hospital for over four years

26 January 2025

It is considered one of the worst examples in Scotland of a patient fit to go home but cannot because of a lack of care.


Time for Highland Council bosses to ‘face the music’ over ‘awful’ pupil absences

25 January 2025
Time for Highland Council bosses to ‘face the music’ over ‘awful’ pupil absences

Time for Highland Council bosses to ‘face the music’ over ‘awful’ pupil absences

25 January 2025

Councillor Michael Gregson says ‘they are letting down the staff, the pupils, the parents and the people of the Highlands’


Violence in Highland schools sees teachers report 3170 ‘physical incidents’ last year – more than 16 a day

23 January 2025
Violence in Highland schools sees teachers report 3170 ‘physical incidents’ last year – more than 16 a day

Violence in Highland schools sees teachers report 3170 ‘physical incidents’ last year – more than 16 a day

23 January 2025

MSP Edward Mountain says ‘the situation in Highland schools is at breaking point’.


Highland Council plans biggest rent hike in a decade with a rise of 8% in April

22 January 2025
Highland Council plans biggest rent hike in a decade with a rise of 8% in April

Highland Council plans biggest rent hike in a decade with a rise of 8% in April

22 January 2025

That works out at an average of £372.84 more a year while the council claims the impact on tenants will be ‘minimal’


Health Secretary Neil Gray questioned about £154m cost of delayed discharge in Highlands

22 January 2025
Health Secretary Neil Gray questioned about £154m cost of delayed discharge in Highlands

Health Secretary Neil Gray questioned about £154m cost of delayed discharge in Highlands

22 January 2025

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant was told £200m to be spent on the issue and there are weekly meetings looking at the crisis.


Pupil absence rates put Highland Council in the top five worst performing local authorities in Scotland

20 January 2025
Pupil absence rates put Highland Council in the top five worst performing local authorities in Scotland

Pupil absence rates put Highland Council in the top five worst performing local authorities in Scotland

20 January 2025

The ‘deeply alarming’ new figures show more than 54 per cent of pupils missed 10-20 per cent of the school year.


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.


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