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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

Highland Council’s Food in Schools project set to survey pupils, parents, teachers and staff

04 June 2025
Highland Council’s Food in Schools project set to survey pupils, parents, teachers and staff

Highland Council’s Food in Schools project set to survey pupils, parents, teachers and staff

04 June 2025

The aim of an annual menu update for the 18,000 lunches that are served everyday and reduce food waste.


Ember’s new Inverness-Aberdeen electric bus service launches tomorrow with cheaper tickets to Elgin and Nairn

04 June 2025
Ember’s new Inverness-Aberdeen electric bus service launches tomorrow with cheaper tickets to Elgin and Nairn

Ember’s new Inverness-Aberdeen electric bus service launches tomorrow with cheaper tickets to Elgin and Nairn

04 June 2025

The current stops available are Aberdeen Airport, Blackburn, Kintore, Inverurie, Keith, Elgin, and Nairn.


Councillor Duncan Macpherson is booted from committee for branding it ‘toothless’ over Inverness short term let licence bid

03 June 2025
Councillor Duncan Macpherson is booted from committee for branding it ‘toothless’ over Inverness short term let licence bid

Councillor Duncan Macpherson is booted from committee for branding it ‘toothless’ over Inverness short term let licence bid

03 June 2025

But the committee bit back claiming he was not conducting himself in a ‘respectful and orderly manner’.


Highland Council area has the third worst road casualty figures in Scotland

03 June 2025
Highland Council area has the third worst road casualty figures in Scotland

Highland Council area has the third worst road casualty figures in Scotland

03 June 2025

New Scottish Government statistics show the region is just behind Glasgow and Edinburgh with 403 ‘casualties’ between 2019-23.


Raigmore’s maxed-out intensive care unit sparks concerns about bed space

03 June 2025
Raigmore’s maxed-out intensive care unit sparks concerns about bed space

Raigmore’s maxed-out intensive care unit sparks concerns about bed space

03 June 2025

Inverness and Nairn Lib Dem candidate Neil Alexander warn of ‘growing crisis’ in north healthcare.


Democratic ‘failure’ sparks Beauly convention on impact of Highlands renewable energy projects

02 June 2025
Democratic ‘failure’ sparks Beauly convention on impact of Highlands renewable energy projects

Democratic ‘failure’ sparks Beauly convention on impact of Highlands renewable energy projects

02 June 2025

The public meeting on June 14 will be led by Councillor Helen Crawford and seven community councils.


Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

01 June 2025
Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

01 June 2025

The total bill for the local authority’s highest earners has risen five fold in the last five years.


NatureScot and Scottish Government feeling the heat over gull menace and vow to hold ‘seagull summit’

29 May 2025
NatureScot and Scottish Government feeling the heat over gull menace and vow to hold ‘seagull summit’

NatureScot and Scottish Government feeling the heat over gull menace and vow to hold ‘seagull summit’

29 May 2025

Inverness BID also hit out at inaction after guidance suggested people wear use hats and umbrellas to protect themselves


Highland Council’s 20mph limits now permanent amid criticism of its ‘ostrich school of consultation’

29 May 2025
Highland Council’s 20mph limits now permanent amid criticism of its ‘ostrich school of consultation’

Highland Council’s 20mph limits now permanent amid criticism of its ‘ostrich school of consultation’

29 May 2025

Opposition councillors sought a more nuanced approach including a review but administration bosses out voted them down.


Highland Council staff overpayments dropped by 77% in April this year compared to April 2024

28 May 2025
Highland Council staff overpayments dropped by 77% in April this year compared to April 2024

Highland Council staff overpayments dropped by 77% in April this year compared to April 2024

28 May 2025

But staff still got £624k more than they should despite tough new measures.


MSP slams Highland Council over 20mph limits after it lost public support for the plan

28 May 2025
MSP slams Highland Council over 20mph limits after it lost public support for the plan

MSP slams Highland Council over 20mph limits after it lost public support for the plan

28 May 2025

Edward Mountain says original Transport Bill targeted high risk areas so people would comply with the new limits.


Highland Council’s 20mph speed limits plan set for decision day as most people oppose it

27 May 2025
Highland Council’s 20mph speed limits plan set for decision day as most people oppose it

Highland Council’s 20mph speed limits plan set for decision day as most people oppose it

27 May 2025

Officials insist ‘few people’ who actually support the scheme engage with consultation.


Highland Council school staff overpaid because sickness absences were not recorded

26 May 2025
Highland Council school staff overpaid because sickness absences were not recorded

Highland Council school staff overpaid because sickness absences were not recorded

26 May 2025

Development comes as audit finds £624,000 was wrongly paid to past and present staff.


Locals should be exempt from paying Highland Council’s visitor levy or ‘tourist tax’

24 May 2025
Locals should be exempt from paying Highland Council’s visitor levy or ‘tourist tax’

Locals should be exempt from paying Highland Council’s visitor levy or ‘tourist tax’

24 May 2025

MSP Douglas Ross who accused the SNP of failing to address concerns.


Highland Council is still overpaying staff by more than £624k a year

23 May 2025
Highland Council is still overpaying staff by more than £624k a year

Highland Council is still overpaying staff by more than £624k a year

23 May 2025

As it threatens to take one ex-employee to court despite cancelling a repayment meeting and not rescheduling.


Drugs and alcohol sees four young people admitted to Highland A&E each week on average

23 May 2025
Drugs and alcohol sees four young people admitted to Highland A&E each week on average

Drugs and alcohol sees four young people admitted to Highland A&E each week on average

23 May 2025

In the last three years more than four under 18’s a week on average have been admitted to Highland A&E due to the effects of drugs or alcohol.


Highland Council’s ‘virtue signalling’ bid for refugee ‘sanctuary’ status is rejected

21 May 2025
Highland Council’s ‘virtue signalling’ bid for refugee ‘sanctuary’ status is rejected

Highland Council’s ‘virtue signalling’ bid for refugee ‘sanctuary’ status is rejected

21 May 2025

Proponents of the plan found it difficult to articulate the case for the proposal at the local level.


Parents on potential school mobile device ban: ‘It is possible to live without using a mobile phone for eight hours’

21 May 2025
Parents on potential school mobile device ban: ‘It is possible to live without using a mobile phone for eight hours’

Parents on potential school mobile device ban: ‘It is possible to live without using a mobile phone for eight hours’

21 May 2025

But others baulked at the idea of an absolute ban on school grounds saying they need to be in contact with their kids.


Skye Councillor Ruraidh Stewart named as Scottish Conservative Inverness and Nairn

20 May 2025
Skye Councillor Ruraidh Stewart named as Scottish Conservative Inverness and Nairn

Skye Councillor Ruraidh Stewart named as Scottish Conservative Inverness and Nairn

20 May 2025

He will face Labour’s Shaun Fraser, Lib Dem Neil Alexander, the SNP’s Emma Roddick and independent Duncan Macpherson.


Inverness councillors agree more than half a million in playpark funding

20 May 2025
Inverness councillors agree more than half a million in playpark funding

Inverness councillors agree more than half a million in playpark funding

20 May 2025

The Highlands got £2.9 million in funding with the Inverness area receiving £838,162.


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