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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.

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.


Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, hospitality sector says

15 January 2025
Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, hospitality sector says

Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, hospitality sector says

15 January 2025

Business leader Colin Marr says ‘I can't think of another tax which has taxes on top of it’.


Dingwall councillor snared with fine at notorious Inverness car park despite ticket machines ‘not working’

15 January 2025
Dingwall councillor snared with fine at notorious Inverness car park despite ticket machines ‘not working’

Dingwall councillor snared with fine at notorious Inverness car park despite ticket machines ‘not working’

15 January 2025

Cllr Sean Kennedy says ‘you end up feeling you have been conned’.


World’s strongest man Tom Stoltman appears in hit BBC show The Traitors carrying Claudia Winkleman

11 January 2025
World’s strongest man Tom Stoltman appears in hit BBC show The Traitors carrying Claudia Winkleman

World’s strongest man Tom Stoltman appears in hit BBC show The Traitors carrying Claudia Winkleman

11 January 2025

The professional strongman from Invergordon revealed that he was one of the men wearing a mask in episode 6.


1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy

11 January 2025
1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy

1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy

11 January 2025

The association fears it will be ‘an extra tax on visitors and locals’ while evidence from abroad argues it will not put tourists off visiting.


Work on A9 near Tore sparks BEAR Scotland warning of significant disruption with north and south lane closures

11 January 2025
Work on A9 near Tore sparks BEAR Scotland warning of significant disruption with north and south lane closures

Work on A9 near Tore sparks BEAR Scotland warning of significant disruption with north and south lane closures

11 January 2025

The agency also issued a warning that starting early next month there will be further disruption south of Drumochter.


Highlands records coldest temperature in the UK with -18.5C – the chilliest January night in 15 years

11 January 2025
Highlands records coldest temperature in the UK with -18.5C – the chilliest January night in 15 years

Highlands records coldest temperature in the UK with -18.5C – the chilliest January night in 15 years

11 January 2025

Altnaharra, Loch Glascarnoch, Lairg and Aviemore all saw the mercury plunging to negative double digits.


Furious MSP Fergus Ewing slams ‘sleekit’ Scottish Government response to the A9 inquiry

10 January 2025
Furious MSP Fergus Ewing slams ‘sleekit’ Scottish Government response to the A9 inquiry

Furious MSP Fergus Ewing slams ‘sleekit’ Scottish Government response to the A9 inquiry

10 January 2025

He says an effort was made to ‘to deny the delays were because of failures by anyone in government or that uber-quango Transport Scotland’.


Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop’s A9 dualling inquiry response casts doubt on commitment and funding

10 January 2025
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop’s A9 dualling inquiry response casts doubt on commitment and funding

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop’s A9 dualling inquiry response casts doubt on commitment and funding

10 January 2025

But in what is a major positive the Scottish Government appears open to accelerating work on the deadliest sections.


Inverness and Ullapool to host Transport Scotland events on cutting speed limit by 10mph

09 January 2025
Inverness and Ullapool to host Transport Scotland events on cutting speed limit by 10mph

Inverness and Ullapool to host Transport Scotland events on cutting speed limit by 10mph

09 January 2025

But goods vehicles could see the speed limit increase on single and dual carriageways by 10mph.


Highland Council launches a five-week region-wide 20mph zone consultation

06 January 2025
Highland Council launches a five-week region-wide 20mph zone consultation

Highland Council launches a five-week region-wide 20mph zone consultation

06 January 2025

The public has until February 25 to make their views known as critics slam the scheme as a waste of money.


Ones to watch 2025: Politics

04 January 2025
Ones to watch 2025: Politics

Ones to watch 2025: Politics

04 January 2025

Who are the figures and what are the political issues to keep an eye on for the Highlands in 2025?


Iconic Dingwall landmark could finally reopen

27 December 2024
Iconic Dingwall landmark could finally reopen

Iconic Dingwall landmark could finally reopen

27 December 2024

The monument is one of Dingwall’s most recognisable landmarks and on the NC500 route and close to Invergordon’s record-breaking cruise line trade.


LONG READ: Can Dingwall revamp change the face of county town?

23 December 2024
LONG READ: Can Dingwall revamp change the face of county town?

LONG READ: Can Dingwall revamp change the face of county town?

23 December 2024

Rethinking use of public buildings in Dingwall could see the biggest shake-up in over a generation and bring benefits, as SCOTT MACLENNAN reports.


Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

19 December 2024
Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

19 December 2024

Allegations of secrecy emerged during what critics fear is the last financial update until ‘10 days before the budget is set’.


Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

18 December 2024
Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

18 December 2024

Highland Council unanimously backs the move after region lost 218 beds in two years.


Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

18 December 2024
Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

18 December 2024

Councillor Helen Crawford says ‘people are starting to say that the education committee is dysfunctional’.


Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

17 December 2024
Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

17 December 2024

A bid to improve information triggered a furious reaction from administration councillors.


National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

15 December 2024
National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

15 December 2024

Finance bosses fear that the Westminster may fall far short of making up the loss they imposed adding a significant budget pressure.


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