Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament news and opinion from expert Scotsman journalists with an in-depth view from Holyrood

The Reform UK MSP group outside the Scottish Parliament.

Analysis Reform was always expected to lose an MSP - but not so quickly

Stacey Hogg, 35, who was murdered by her violent ex-partner Lee Inglis at her home in Hawick in June

National review into Stacey Hogg murder 'must be a priority'

Green Party MSP, Q Manivannan is sworn in during the first meeting of the new Scottish Parliament on May 14, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Q Manivannan loses bid to become rector of St Andrews University

Wreckage of Pan Am flight 103 lies in a field near Lockerbie after the bombing in December 1988

Lockerbie suspect claims he was illegally removed from Libya

John Swinney

Swinney will not be investigated over claims he misled Holyrood

First Minister John Swinney and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Swinney says he remains friends with Sturgeon despite criticism

Elizabeth Crammond said she wants the voices of other women to be heard.

Exclusive Bereaved mother to lead Holyrood maternity protest

Alex Cole-Hamilton

Call for jobs guarantee for Scottish young people leaving care

Donald Dewar, right, seen in 1999, had high hopes for the Scottish Parliament's committees but, until recently, they had been letting him down (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

SNP ministers discover their competence is being tested at last Brian Wilson

Stephen Flynn

Flynn urged to refer himself for investigation over ferry 'cover up'

Health Secretary Angela Constance

Winter NHS deaths warning after SNP unveils 'flimsy' plans

Justice Secretary Neil Gray has described a dedicated sexual offences court as ‘necessary’

Rape crisis charity calls for clarity over new sexual offences court

Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn (Jane Barlow/PA)

Stephen Flynn was briefed on ferry gas leak before transport committee

Alex Cole-Hamilton raised the issue in parliament

Violence in schools: More than 44,000 incidents reported in a year

A general view of the Scottish Parliament building, Holyrood, Edinburgh

Should MSPs be paid more for chairing Holyrood committees?

Michael Marra speaks in the Scottish Parliament

SNP public sector reform risks 'decade of distraction', warns Labour

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon

Exclusive Complaint about Monica Lennon sent to Scottish Parliament chief

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton

Scottish Lib Dem leader defends ‘fake news' interviews in Holyrood

Recent Scottish government figures showed new home completions down 11 per cent over the last year (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Collaboration is our only route out of Scotland’s housing crisis

The Scottish Baby Loss Collaborative was formed in 2024. Picture: Contributed

'Radical reform' needed in support for families who lose babies

Opening up Rosebank and Jackdaw would create more North Sea jobs and reduce reliance on imports, the Scottish Conservatives argue (Picture: Andy Buchanan)

MSPs reject Tory call for Jackdaw and Rosebank to get green light

Monica Lennon in the Scottish Parliament

Exclusive High-profile Labour MSP Monica Lennon faces bullying claims

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Brown and Blacks publican Katie Long

Landlord blames pub closure on SNP's anti-business policies

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth and First Minister John Swinney

SNP plans to shrink public sector workforce 'off course'

Nigel Farage

Reform removes Nigel Farage content after complaint by Holyrood bosses

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a fringe event for The Promise Scotland and Who Cares? Scotland during the second day of the SNP annual conference in Aberdeen

The Promise: Crunch time as Sturgeon's key pledge may not be delivered

Jane Haining died in Auschwitz after being taken from Budapest.

Scottish matron who died in Auschwitz 'example' against hate crimes

Simita Kumar at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

Equalities minister shows SNP will continue corrosive gender politics Jenny Lindsay

New Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra is showing signs that he will be a formidable rival for John Swinney (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Why Labour's Marra poses a threat to 'master of the chamber' Swinney Adam Morris

Golf, a game so popular that they once decided to ban it (Picture: Mark Runnacles)

Why Royal Dornoch's new course shouldn't break 1457 law banning golf Scotsman comment

SNP plan to devolve some powers to new regional authorities

First Minister John Swinney at a Believe in Scotland rally.

SNP blasted for wasting more Holyrood time debating independence

Michael Marra shakes hands with a party member after being announced as winner of the Scottish Labour leadership contest (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: 'New Labour' to blame for Scottish party's decline

Collette Stevenson MSP at the transport committee.

We cannot have five more years of incompetence and disappointment Rachel Amery

Michael Marra

Michael Marra named new leader of Scottish Labour

Scottish Labour leadership candidate Joe Fagan

Exclusive Joe Fagan: Labour must be 'disruptive' but work with SNP government

Westminster no more? The SNP should start boycotting the House of Commons, according to one nationalist MSP (Picture: Leon Neal)

SNP to boycott Commons?! The £100K reason why it's not going to happen Scotsman comment

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Scottish First Minister John Swinney delivers his statement on the 2026 Programme for Government on September 01, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Fix the plumbing then start rewiring the state

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and First Minister John Swinney.

Scottish independence: Burnham insists IndyRef2 still 'off limits'

The forest is 91 per cent Sitka spruce

Scottish forest planted with 91 per cent Sitka goes on sale for £10m

Never mind kids, MSPs should face mobile phone ban Scotsman leader comment

First Minister John Swinney will deliver his programme for government on Tuesday amid a backdrop of vast cuts needed to balance the books

Swinney vows ‘radical change’ as swingeing public sector cuts loom

John Swinney revealed the SNP's manifesto in Glasgow

Exclusive Swinney warned of 'tortuously difficult' task as his 5-year plan looms

Elizabeth Quigley (left) with husband First Minister John Swinney.

Swinney praises wife Elizabeth Quigley as she announces resignation

Pro-independence campaigners.

SNP publishes new Scottish independence referendum bill

Former first minister Donald Dewar

Dewar would be 'disappointed' with Holyrood today, says new biographer

A previous incarnation of Locker Room Talk.

Chance meeting with actor Blythe Duff revives play 10 years on

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries