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The Islands Bill has been hailed as a “real achievement” towards making sure island communities thrive.The Bill, which passed its stage one debate at Holyrood yesterday, requires the Scottish government and other public bodies to consider the impact which their laws and decisions would have ... Read more...
A challenge is due to be laid down to the Scottish government to honour its commitment to "fair funding" for internal ferries in Orkney and Shetland.A debate will get underway at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow ahead of the SNP administration's forthcoming budget.The call for action is bein... Read more...
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston was caught up in a security alert at Holyrood.Part of the Scottish parliament building was evacuated after four packages were sent to the offices of Tory MSPs.In a statement, Mr Halcro Johnston said: "Part of the Scottish Parliament buildin... Read more...
Highlands and Islands list MSP Maree Todd was in a fact finding mission to Shetland this weekend where she had a number of constituency meetings lined up. The 43-year-old first time parliamentarian, originally from Ullapool, emphasised she would be holding the Scottish Government to its manifesto p... Read more...
In the midst of the present crisis in the steel industry the silence from our masters and their mistress in Edinburgh is deafening.Can this have anything to do with the fact that the new Forth road bridge is being constructed almost entirely of cheap, inferior-quality Chinese steel?Of co... Read more...
Politicians have called for urgent action over the lifeline air services run by Loganair to and from Shetland and other parts of the Highlands and Islands after two more worrying incidents this month. Shetland MSP Tavish Scott questioned Scottish Transport Minister Derek MacKay in Holyrood today as... Read more...
Social enterprise Cope has scooped the top award in the annual Social Enterprise Awards Scotland.The gong was presented by deputy first minister John Swinney at a ceremony hosted in Scottish parliament last night, hosted by Shetland MSP Tavish Scott.Cope, which provides training and empl... Read more...
The Conservative fisheries spokesman at the European Parliament has challenged Scottish fisheries minister Richard Lochhead to help fishermen make the looming discards ban workable.Following a visit to Peterhead of Dutch MEP Peter van Dalen and the managing director of pan-European Fishing b... Read more...
MSP Tavish Scott has welcomed a debate in the Scottish Parliament on delivery charges to the Highlands and Islands.Meanwhile a report by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) shows that while there are fewer online retailers who impose surcharges than there were three years ago, those retailers who do ... Read more...
Questionnaires will be delivered to households across the isles this week asking people for their experiences of local and national health services.The survey is being launched by MSP Tavish Scott, who wants to find out the views of islanders on GP services, mental health, dental care and travel... Read more...
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has put the case in the House of Commons for devolution of the Crown Estate to island communities.This week he tabled an amendment to the Scotland Bill, calling for all functions of the Crown Estate in Scotland to be transferred to local authorities in the Northern a... Read more...
Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie has joined the Scottish Green Party.Mr Finnie was welcomed with a standing ovation in Edinburgh yesterday - at what the party expected to be its largest ever conference.Mr Finnie left the SNP in October 2012 over the matter of NATO membership. He has rep... Read more...
A "no thanks" vote to independence means a stronger Scottish Parliament within the UK, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said today.This week former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has set out the timetable for new laws to strengthen Holyrood. Mr Scott is urging people to support this real change supported ... Read more...
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has welcomed new legislation intended to give local communities more say in decisions over local pharmacies as well as providing security for primary care services. (more…) Read more...