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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

Dual the A9: Lib Dems make A9 dualling a manifesto pledge

07 April 2025
Dual the A9: Lib Dems make A9 dualling a manifesto pledge

Dual the A9: Lib Dems make A9 dualling a manifesto pledge

07 April 2025

Liberal Democrat leaders Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ed Davey both sign The Inverness Courier’s Pledge to finish the dualling project.


Andrew Baxter says he can beat Kate Forbes because ‘the political tide is turning’

07 April 2025
Andrew Baxter says he can beat Kate Forbes because ‘the political tide is turning’

Andrew Baxter says he can beat Kate Forbes because ‘the political tide is turning’

07 April 2025

The challenger for 2026 believes the seat is competitive ‘because my opponent is very much part of the problem’.


The Highlands declared as the Scottish Liberal Democrats priority at Inverness conference

06 April 2025
The Highlands declared as the Scottish Liberal Democrats priority at Inverness conference

The Highlands declared as the Scottish Liberal Democrats priority at Inverness conference

06 April 2025

Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says ‘People in the Highlands know we are best placed to beat the SNP’.


Highland Council stats reveal ‘violent incidents’ in schools rose 150 per cent last session

04 April 2025
Highland Council stats reveal ‘violent incidents’ in schools rose 150 per cent last session

Highland Council stats reveal ‘violent incidents’ in schools rose 150 per cent last session

04 April 2025

But the stats draw a blank on assaults of teachers or pupils and drugs or weapons.


SSEN’s Fort Augustus substation gets green light from Highland Council for massive expansion

04 April 2025
SSEN’s Fort Augustus substation gets green light from Highland Council for massive expansion

SSEN’s Fort Augustus substation gets green light from Highland Council for massive expansion

04 April 2025

The company says the ‘key component’ together with others will help deliver £100 million in community benefit for north of Scotland.


Highland Council orders site visit to Culduthel Woods before deciding on new paths plan

02 April 2025
Highland Council orders site visit to Culduthel Woods before deciding on new paths plan

Highland Council orders site visit to Culduthel Woods before deciding on new paths plan

02 April 2025

Cllr Andrew MacKintosh says ‘there is no desire on behalf of the people of Culduthel Park to stymy the ambitions of the woodland group’


Highland Council grants planning permission for 400 new Culloden homes

02 April 2025
Highland Council grants planning permission for 400 new Culloden homes

Highland Council grants planning permission for 400 new Culloden homes

02 April 2025

Councillors were lukewarm towards the application citing numerous pressures on services locally from the development.


The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter

02 April 2025
The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter

The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter

02 April 2025

He is the member for Fort William and Ardnamurchan and is currently MP Angus MacDonald’s chief of staff.


Report by Inverness MP Angus MacDonald exposes depths of Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package

02 April 2025
Report by Inverness MP Angus MacDonald exposes depths of Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package

Report by Inverness MP Angus MacDonald exposes depths of Highland care sector crisis as he calls for £60m rescue package

02 April 2025

The analysis reveals an 18% drop in care homes over 10 years while the over-75 population rose by almost 72%.


Battle of Culloden Academy as major Inverness school left out of Highland Investment Plan

01 April 2025
Battle of Culloden Academy as major Inverness school left out of Highland Investment Plan

Battle of Culloden Academy as major Inverness school left out of Highland Investment Plan

01 April 2025

But four other schools – Charleston, Fortrose, Inverness High and Beauly Primary – will move ahead at a cost of £148m.


MSP Emma Roddick aims to contest the Inverness and Nairn seat in 2026

30 March 2025
MSP Emma Roddick aims to contest the Inverness and Nairn seat in 2026

MSP Emma Roddick aims to contest the Inverness and Nairn seat in 2026

30 March 2025

The move comes after Fergus Ewing said he would not stand for the SNP – but may run as an independent.


Highland Investment Plan must include Inverness Leisure or risk losing out on hosting competitions

30 March 2025
Highland Investment Plan must include Inverness Leisure or risk losing out on hosting competitions

Highland Investment Plan must include Inverness Leisure or risk losing out on hosting competitions

30 March 2025

Councillor Michael Gregson warns the Queen’s Park track is at the ‘minimum levels’ acceptable to UK Athletics.


Five councillors slam Highland Council’s closure of Avonlea children’s home

28 March 2025
Five councillors slam Highland Council’s closure of Avonlea children’s home

Five councillors slam Highland Council’s closure of Avonlea children’s home

28 March 2025

They say the local authority officials ‘decided to protect their positions and status’ and ‘quash discontent’.


Doubt cast on council’s version of events over children’s home closure and spark call for leader’s resignation

28 March 2025
Doubt cast on council’s version of events over children’s home closure and spark call for leader’s resignation

Doubt cast on council’s version of events over children’s home closure and spark call for leader’s resignation

28 March 2025

The latest information on Avonlea undermines the council’s narrative leading to calls for Raymond Bremner to step down.


Are Culloden Academy’s ‘demountable classrooms’ here to stay?

26 March 2025
Are Culloden Academy’s ‘demountable classrooms’ here to stay?

Are Culloden Academy’s ‘demountable classrooms’ here to stay?

26 March 2025

The school falls far below the occupancy rate for any serious work to be done on the building.


Highland councillor objects to proposed 21.7 per cent pay hike saying ‘they are not reading the room’

25 March 2025
Highland councillor objects to proposed 21.7 per cent pay hike saying ‘they are not reading the room’

Highland councillor objects to proposed 21.7 per cent pay hike saying ‘they are not reading the room’

25 March 2025

Michael Gregson says ‘the people are just not feeling the love, and this excessive pay rise to ourselves certainly won’t change that perception’.


Highland councillors set to get inflation busting 21% pay hike adding around £500k to the wage bill

25 March 2025
Highland councillors set to get inflation busting 21% pay hike adding around £500k to the wage bill

Highland councillors set to get inflation busting 21% pay hike adding around £500k to the wage bill

25 March 2025

The move follows recommendations by the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee.


Highland Council to decide £148m plan for Charleston, Fortrose, Beauly, and Inverness High rebuilds

24 March 2025
Highland Council to decide £148m plan for Charleston, Fortrose, Beauly, and Inverness High rebuilds

Highland Council to decide £148m plan for Charleston, Fortrose, Beauly, and Inverness High rebuilds

24 March 2025

Completion dates are all before 2030 as the local authority issues ‘earliest operational dates’.


Kate Forbes on Fergus Ewing: ‘I hope he understands how grateful Highlanders are for his many years of service’

21 March 2025
Kate Forbes on Fergus Ewing: ‘I hope he understands how grateful Highlanders are for his many years of service’

Kate Forbes on Fergus Ewing: ‘I hope he understands how grateful Highlanders are for his many years of service’

21 March 2025

She says Mr Ewing has been a ‘consistent and effective’ MSP while First Minister John Swinney praised him as ‘faithful servant of his constituents’.


Fergus Ewing’s decision not stand for the SNP reflects party’s ‘broken relationship with rural Scotland’

21 March 2025
Fergus Ewing’s decision not stand for the SNP reflects party’s ‘broken relationship with rural Scotland’

Fergus Ewing’s decision not stand for the SNP reflects party’s ‘broken relationship with rural Scotland’

21 March 2025

Lib Dem Angus Macdonald says ‘for so many people across the Highlands, it feels like nothing works anymore’


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