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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.

Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

13 December 2024
Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

13 December 2024

The council insists that it is one of most improved local authorities in Scotland.


Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

12 December 2024
Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

12 December 2024

Most councillors backed a move that will see the whole region run from Inverness despite widespread dissatisfaction.


Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

11 December 2024
Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

11 December 2024

Most of that has been recovered but £396,000 is yet to be returned.


Highland Council lost £713k of tax payers’ money on the failed Inverness street project

11 December 2024
Highland Council lost £713k of tax payers’ money on the failed Inverness street project

Highland Council lost £713k of tax payers’ money on the failed Inverness street project

11 December 2024

Conservative group leader Ruraidh Stewart demanded answers about the ‘unlawful’ Academy Street scheme.


Highland Council poised for 35% tax raid on household budgets over 5 years

10 December 2024
Highland Council poised for 35% tax raid on household budgets over 5 years

Highland Council poised for 35% tax raid on household budgets over 5 years

10 December 2024

That is despite a large increase in Scottish Government funding announced in the draft budget.


Highland Council extends visitor levy scheme consultation period

09 December 2024
Highland Council extends visitor levy scheme consultation period

Highland Council extends visitor levy scheme consultation period

09 December 2024

Tourism groups welcome the move saying if it is ‘well-implemented’ it could ‘bring significant benefits to our region’


Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner

06 December 2024
Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner

Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner

06 December 2024

The Ullapool native says role advising the government on land reform is an ‘honour’ and a ‘duty that I don’t take lightly’.


Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?

06 December 2024
Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?

Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?

06 December 2024

The move to ‘better serve’ the north follows Kate Forbes’ call to dismantle the local authority.


Holyrood told some Highland women ‘lost their fertility’ due to ‘barbaric’ lack of access to Raigmore

05 December 2024
Holyrood told some Highland women ‘lost their fertility’ due to ‘barbaric’ lack of access to Raigmore

Holyrood told some Highland women ‘lost their fertility’ due to ‘barbaric’ lack of access to Raigmore

05 December 2024

Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called on First Minister John Swinney for action.


The Scottish Budget at a glance: how it affects the Highlands and Moray from dualling to the NHS

04 December 2024
The Scottish Budget at a glance: how it affects the Highlands and Moray from dualling to the NHS

The Scottish Budget at a glance: how it affects the Highlands and Moray from dualling to the NHS

04 December 2024

More cash will come north but the jury is out on whether finance secretary Shona Robison delivered for the north.


Scottish Government should make Highland Hospice ‘a nationally funded service’

03 December 2024
Scottish Government should make Highland Hospice ‘a nationally funded service’

Scottish Government should make Highland Hospice ‘a nationally funded service’

03 December 2024

Fergus Ewing says recent NI hikes risk the service that offers patients dignity and saves the NHS millions.


REVEALED: Number of new classrooms created using money for housing projects

03 December 2024
REVEALED: Number of new classrooms created using money for housing projects

REVEALED: Number of new classrooms created using money for housing projects

03 December 2024

Freedom of Information requests discovered the sums the council has received from developers, the total spent, as well as where that was spent.


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’.


Councillor Sean Kennedy takes an icy plunge for brain tumour research

23 November 2024
Councillor Sean Kennedy takes an icy plunge for brain tumour research

Councillor Sean Kennedy takes an icy plunge for brain tumour research

23 November 2024

He was inspired by Fiona Hawthorne who like him survived a brain tumour.


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.


Could Dingwall buildings be dramatically repurposed under new masterplan?

16 November 2024
Could Dingwall buildings be dramatically repurposed under new masterplan?

Could Dingwall buildings be dramatically repurposed under new masterplan?

16 November 2024

Highland Council has outlined a vision that it believes would streamline how it uses assets for the greater public good.


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’.


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