Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
25 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)
Rural Scotland does not need more recognition of the problem; it needs action. We need policies that reflect rural realities, investment that matches rural needs and a Government that understands that fairness means ensuring that no part of Scotland is left behind. Resilience must not be mistaken for the ability to endure endless pressure. If we are serious about building a fairer, stronger Scotland, we must be serious about delivering for rural Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20849, in the name of Jamie Halcro Johnston, on the sustainability of remote, rural and...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests as a partner in a farming business.I thank all those who have signed today’s motion, allow...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Before we move to the open debate, I advise members that the debate is heavily oversubscribed. I am conscious that afternoon business starts at 3 o’clock and...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Since this will be my last speech of session 6, I thank you and the Presiding Officer team for your patience and for the fair a...
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
Before I start with some final thoughts, I want to make it clear, up front, that my comments are not personally aimed at the cabinet secretary, who I respect...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
As a South Scotland MSP, I am no stranger to the harsh realities faced by those accessing services in rural areas. I speak to constituents from across the re...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Before I start, I want to thank Oliver Mundell. He has been a great colleague, and I thought that he gave a really good speech on rural Scotland and what it ...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for bringing this debate on rural issues to the chamber. Before I contribute to it, however, I would like to pay tribute to sev...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for bringing this important debate to the chamber on this, the last day of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament. This w...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is a pleasure to follow Beatrice Wishart, who, as we all know, has been a real champion for her communities in the time that she has spent here. I also pa...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Before I call the next speaker, in order to protect the time available for each member who wants to participate, I am minded to accept a motion without notic...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for allowing us to debate, on the final day of the parliamentary session, the many issues that he and I have fought most hard o...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I pay tribute to my colleagues who will not return next session, particularly Oliver Mundell, who has spoken out so well for Dumfriesshire, John Mason and my...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
You have run out of time. Could you wind up, please.
Finlay Carson
Con
Rural Scotland does not need more recognition of the problem; it needs action. We need policies that reflect rural realities, investment that matches rural n...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
John Mason is the final speaker in the open debate.14:31
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind)
Ind
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for securing the debate and other members for their kind words.Many people in Scotland’s urban areas and central belt still car...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Thank you, Mr Mason. As a resident of Burray, I can assure you that the linked south isles in Orkney are definitely islands.With that, I call Mairi Gougeon t...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
I am grateful to Jamie Halcro Johnston for securing the debate. Given the breadth of the areas that are covered in the motion, any one of my colleagues could...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
That concludes the debate. I will briefly suspend the meeting, and I look forward to regathering with you, cabinet secretary, and a few other colleagues at 3...