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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

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

22 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

22 May 2025

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


REVEALED: Scale of Highland Council glyphosate use since 2022 - despite demands it be phased out

18 May 2025
REVEALED: Scale of Highland Council glyphosate use since 2022 - despite demands it be phased out

REVEALED: Scale of Highland Council glyphosate use since 2022 - despite demands it be phased out

18 May 2025

The weedkiller remains controversial for alleged but inconclusive evidence that it causes cancer.


Police Scotland confirm A839 has reopened after a fire at Rogart Vets yesterday

17 May 2025
Police Scotland confirm A839 has reopened after a fire at Rogart Vets yesterday

Police Scotland confirm A839 has reopened after a fire at Rogart Vets yesterday

17 May 2025

Six fire engine crews from Lairg, Dornoch, Invergordon, Dingwall and Inverness tackled the blaze - no animals or people were injured.


Highland Council confirms 10% of staff grievances upheld – the same ratio who reported bullying

17 May 2025
Highland Council confirms 10% of staff grievances upheld – the same ratio who reported bullying

Highland Council confirms 10% of staff grievances upheld – the same ratio who reported bullying

17 May 2025

But bosses remain tight-lipped about the reason behind complaints.


With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

16 May 2025
With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

With nearly 3500 second homes in the Highlands, find out which area has the most

16 May 2025

The 200 per cent Council Tax charge on second homes is expected to generate £5.8m this year.


Highland Council takes a step closer to banning mobile phones in schools

16 May 2025
Highland Council takes a step closer to banning mobile phones in schools

Highland Council takes a step closer to banning mobile phones in schools

16 May 2025

Members unanimously wave through a move to consult on a new region-wide policy.


Highland Council has fifth worst roads in Scotland with maintenance shortfall estimate of £10 million a year

16 May 2025
Highland Council has fifth worst roads in Scotland with maintenance shortfall estimate of £10 million a year

Highland Council has fifth worst roads in Scotland with maintenance shortfall estimate of £10 million a year

16 May 2025

One councillor slams administration ‘hypocrisy’ over question to the leader who hits back saying he gave ‘an honest, factual answer’.


Determined mum overcomes ‘unutterably painful’ son's suicide to help improve New Craigs

16 May 2025
Determined mum overcomes ‘unutterably painful’ son's suicide to help improve New Craigs

Determined mum overcomes ‘unutterably painful’ son's suicide to help improve New Craigs

16 May 2025

Jacqui Waring worked with NHS Highland to deliver improvements after her son Will Ogilvy took his own life aged just 28.


Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election

15 May 2025
Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election

Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election

15 May 2025

She says that it has been an ‘honour’ to serve the region but it is ‘now time to make way for others.’


Highland school mobile phone ban to be debated at the council amid call for policy on the issue

13 May 2025
Highland school mobile phone ban to be debated at the council amid call for policy on the issue

Highland school mobile phone ban to be debated at the council amid call for policy on the issue

13 May 2025

Councillors want a full consultation with pupils, parents, teachers and staff to support head teachers.


Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites power new Highland Scotrail Wi-Fi pilot

12 May 2025
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites power new Highland Scotrail Wi-Fi pilot

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites power new Highland Scotrail Wi-Fi pilot

12 May 2025

Business minister Richard Lochhead hails a major ‘boost for Highland commuters and visitors’.


PODCAST: North NHS compensation payments total £34m so we look at why

09 May 2025
PODCAST: North NHS compensation payments total £34m so we look at why

PODCAST: North NHS compensation payments total £34m so we look at why

09 May 2025

Listen to episode one of our brand new look at what is going on behind the headlines in Beyond the Briefing.


MSPs accuse NHS Highland of being too afraid of Scottish Government to fight to retain services

09 May 2025
MSPs accuse NHS Highland of being too afraid of Scottish Government to fight to retain services

MSPs accuse NHS Highland of being too afraid of Scottish Government to fight to retain services

09 May 2025

Edward Mountain and Fergus Ewing fear that losing services leads to ‘adverse outcomes’ for patients.


Former BBC broadcaster and poverty and trauma expert appointed to top Highland Council roles

08 May 2025
Former BBC broadcaster and poverty and trauma expert appointed to top Highland Council roles

Former BBC broadcaster and poverty and trauma expert appointed to top Highland Council roles

08 May 2025

Maggie Cunningham and Dr Jim McCormick will head up the £870,000 poverty and equality commission.


The SNP selects incumbent MSP Maree Todd as its 2026 Caithness, Sutherland and Ross candidate

08 May 2025
The SNP selects incumbent MSP Maree Todd as its 2026 Caithness, Sutherland and Ross candidate

The SNP selects incumbent MSP Maree Todd as its 2026 Caithness, Sutherland and Ross candidate

08 May 2025

She joins Kate Forbes and Emma Roddick in the Highland constituency races.


What do the next Holyrood elections hold for the Highlands?

07 May 2025
What do the next Holyrood elections hold for the Highlands?

What do the next Holyrood elections hold for the Highlands?

07 May 2025

Exactly one year away from the vote we look at what the region wants and what could change.


Scottish Government agrees 51 major energy projects across Highlands in just three years

06 May 2025
Scottish Government agrees 51 major energy projects across Highlands in just three years

Scottish Government agrees 51 major energy projects across Highlands in just three years

06 May 2025

Scottish Conservatives slam quango responsible for ‘industrial jungles’.


Ex-Caithness copper and MSP ‘shocked’ by neglected police stations

05 May 2025
Ex-Caithness copper and MSP ‘shocked’ by neglected police stations

Ex-Caithness copper and MSP ‘shocked’ by neglected police stations

05 May 2025

Tim Eagle says 113 police stations ‘are in need of repair or unfit for use’ telling John Swinney the ‘neglect must end’.


Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year

05 May 2025
Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year

Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year

05 May 2025

The Highland Council area ranked fourth in Scotland amounting to 7.5% of all total inquiries to the charity.


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