Home   Authors   Author

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 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.


Full list of Inverness play parks set for £600k investment from Highland Council

19 May 2025
Full list of Inverness play parks set for £600k investment from Highland Council

Full list of Inverness play parks set for £600k investment from Highland Council

19 May 2025

The cash comes from the Scottish Government and will be decided by local councillors.


Highland Council aims to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ for ‘those fleeing persecution and violence’

19 May 2025
Highland Council aims to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ for ‘those fleeing persecution and violence’

Highland Council aims to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ for ‘those fleeing persecution and violence’

19 May 2025

It means applying to be granted status for the City of Sanctuary Award.


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.


INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT ROUND-UP: The latest cases in the Highlands

18 May 2025
INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT ROUND-UP: The latest cases in the Highlands

INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT ROUND-UP: The latest cases in the Highlands

18 May 2025

Offenders involved with abusing bouncers, drug driving and setting fire to a house and a caravan.


An event to fund events: New Inverness music festival could help fund other gatherings

17 May 2025
An event to fund events: New Inverness music festival could help fund other gatherings

An event to fund events: New Inverness music festival could help fund other gatherings

17 May 2025

Last year the Red Hot Highland Fling was cancelled amid fears it would not make enough cash.


Crash near Beauly between a car and two motorcyclists leads to multiple local road closures

17 May 2025
Crash near Beauly between a car and two motorcyclists leads to multiple local road closures

Crash near Beauly between a car and two motorcyclists leads to multiple local road closures

17 May 2025

Emergency services are in attendance, the A862 is closed in both directions, the A833 is also closed as far as Kiltarlity


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

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

With 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 care sector at risk of collapse due to Labour plans to curb legal migration, MP Angus MacDonald warns

13 May 2025
Highland care sector at risk of collapse due to Labour plans to curb legal migration, MP Angus MacDonald warns

Highland care sector at risk of collapse due to Labour plans to curb legal migration, MP Angus MacDonald warns

13 May 2025

Parklands Care Homes boss slams the proposals as ‘dangerously short-sighted’ and ‘ill-conceived’.


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More