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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

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’.


The Highlands declared as the Scottish Liberal Democrats priority at Inverness conference

06 April 2025
The Highlands declared as the Scottish Liberal Democrats priority at Inverness conference

The Highlands declared as the Scottish Liberal Democrats priority at Inverness conference

06 April 2025

Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says ‘People in the Highlands know we are best placed to beat the SNP’.


Lib Dem candidate David Green calls time on ‘tired SNP’ and far north ‘must be the first domino to fall’

04 April 2025
Lib Dem candidate David Green calls time on ‘tired SNP’ and far north ‘must be the first domino to fall’

Lib Dem candidate David Green calls time on ‘tired SNP’ and far north ‘must be the first domino to fall’

04 April 2025

Speaking at the spring conference he believes ‘we can win’ Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.


Highland Council stats reveal ‘violent incidents’ in schools rose 150 per cent last session

04 April 2025
Highland Council stats reveal ‘violent incidents’ in schools rose 150 per cent last session

Highland Council stats reveal ‘violent incidents’ in schools rose 150 per cent last session

04 April 2025

But the stats draw a blank on assaults of teachers or pupils and drugs or weapons.


SSEN’s Fort Augustus substation gets green light from Highland Council for massive expansion

04 April 2025
SSEN’s Fort Augustus substation gets green light from Highland Council for massive expansion

SSEN’s Fort Augustus substation gets green light from Highland Council for massive expansion

04 April 2025

The company says the ‘key component’ together with others will help deliver £100 million in community benefit for north of Scotland.


The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter

02 April 2025
The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter

The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter

02 April 2025

He is the member for Fort William and Ardnamurchan and is currently MP Angus MacDonald’s chief of staff.


Report by Highland LibDem MP Angus MacDonald exposes Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package

02 April 2025
Report by Highland LibDem MP Angus MacDonald exposes Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package

Report by Highland LibDem MP Angus MacDonald exposes Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package

02 April 2025

The analysis reveals an 18% drop in care homes over 10 years while the over-75 population rose by almost 72%.


Police Scotland is aware of cold callers in the Aviemore and Dingwall areas

30 March 2025
Police Scotland is aware of cold callers in the Aviemore and Dingwall areas

Police Scotland is aware of cold callers in the Aviemore and Dingwall areas

30 March 2025

Officers say some are ‘legitimate’ but still urges people to be vigilant and report concerns.


Highland councillor objects to proposed 21.7 per cent pay hike saying ‘they are not reading the room’

25 March 2025
Highland councillor objects to proposed 21.7 per cent pay hike saying ‘they are not reading the room’

Highland councillor objects to proposed 21.7 per cent pay hike saying ‘they are not reading the room’

25 March 2025

Michael Gregson says ‘the people are just not feeling the love, and this excessive pay rise to ourselves certainly won’t change that perception’.


Highland Councillors set to get inflation busting 21% pay hike adding around £500k to the wage bill

25 March 2025
Highland Councillors set to get inflation busting 21% pay hike adding around £500k to the wage bill

Highland Councillors set to get inflation busting 21% pay hike adding around £500k to the wage bill

25 March 2025

The move follows recommendations by the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee.


Highland Council to decide £148m plan for Charleston, Fortrose, Beauly, and Inverness High rebuilds

24 March 2025
Highland Council to decide £148m plan for Charleston, Fortrose, Beauly, and Inverness High rebuilds

Highland Council to decide £148m plan for Charleston, Fortrose, Beauly, and Inverness High rebuilds

24 March 2025

Completion dates are all before 2030 as the local authority issues ‘earliest operational dates’.


Could Dingwall Primary and St Clement’s share site with multimillion-pound new build?

21 March 2025
Could Dingwall Primary and St Clement’s share site with multimillion-pound new build?

Could Dingwall Primary and St Clement’s share site with multimillion-pound new build?

21 March 2025

An opportunity to end the decades-long wait for a new-build special school in Dingwall could arrive with a £50m investment.


Kate Forbes on Fergus Ewing: ‘I hope he understands how grateful Highlanders are for his many years of service’

21 March 2025
Kate Forbes on Fergus Ewing: ‘I hope he understands how grateful Highlanders are for his many years of service’

Kate Forbes on Fergus Ewing: ‘I hope he understands how grateful Highlanders are for his many years of service’

21 March 2025

She says Mr Ewing has been a ‘consistent and effective’ MSP while First Minister John Swinney praised him as ‘faithful servant of his constituents’.


UK pandemic planning determined not to repeat ‘mistakes’ of Covid amid nationwide ‘worst case scenario’ exercise

21 March 2025
UK pandemic planning determined not to repeat ‘mistakes’ of Covid amid nationwide ‘worst case scenario’ exercise

UK pandemic planning determined not to repeat ‘mistakes’ of Covid amid nationwide ‘worst case scenario’ exercise

21 March 2025

The exercise even includes Highland Council and looks at how to deal with a new outbreak that claims 840,000 lives.


Highland Council denies being ‘deceptive’ over the closure of Avonlea children’s home

21 March 2025
Highland Council denies being ‘deceptive’ over the closure of Avonlea children’s home

Highland Council denies being ‘deceptive’ over the closure of Avonlea children’s home

21 March 2025

The Groat challenged it over its internal communications compared to what emerged publicly.


AVONLEA CLOSURE: The exclusive inside story of Highland Council’s handling of the troubled children’s care home

21 March 2025
AVONLEA CLOSURE: The exclusive inside story of Highland Council’s handling of the troubled children’s care home

AVONLEA CLOSURE: The exclusive inside story of Highland Council’s handling of the troubled children’s care home

21 March 2025

Hundreds of pages of confidential emails help lift the lid on what went on behind closed doors at the local authority.


MSP Fergus Ewing: ‘The SNP just is no longer the party for all of Scotland, as it has been for most of my 50 years as a member’

21 March 2025
MSP Fergus Ewing: ‘The SNP just is no longer the party for all of Scotland, as it has been for most of my 50 years as a member’

MSP Fergus Ewing: ‘The SNP just is no longer the party for all of Scotland, as it has been for most of my 50 years as a member’

21 March 2025

He confirms that ‘with great sadness’ he is to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election but may yet stand as an independent.


Fergus Ewing to stand down as SNP MSP at the next election ‘with great sadness’

21 March 2025
Fergus Ewing to stand down as SNP MSP at the next election ‘with great sadness’

Fergus Ewing to stand down as SNP MSP at the next election ‘with great sadness’

21 March 2025

The Inverness and Nairn MSP leaves door open to run as an independent but says he ‘simply cannot defend the record of the SNP Government’.


Police Scotland is appealing for information after an attempted Alness ‘van break-in’

15 March 2025
Police Scotland is appealing for information after an attempted Alness ‘van break-in’

Police Scotland is appealing for information after an attempted Alness ‘van break-in’

15 March 2025

Officers are asking the public saw anything on Firthview Terrace between 18.30 on Thursday and 09.30 on Friday.


Highland Council raises council tax by 7% as it passes £818m budget unchanged

06 March 2025
Highland Council raises council tax by 7% as it passes £818m budget unchanged

Highland Council raises council tax by 7% as it passes £818m budget unchanged

06 March 2025

Opposition plans for education reforms, free primary school meals and lower hikes in council tax were rejected.


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