This week I was pleased to welcome Barri Millar, Chief Operating Officer at St John Scotland to unveil our new Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) outside the Parliament building. Thanks for helping to make our community safer. This will help save lives by providing 24 /7 access.

I am so sad to hear the news of Jim Wallace’s passing. Jim gave so freely of his time, experience and expertise, and I was grateful for his support. On behalf of all @parliament.scot, our most sincere condolences to Rosie and all of Jim’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

A pleasure to welcome Speaker Abdul Khaliq Khan Achakzai and a delegation from the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan to The Scottish Parliament this week.

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot today. 1. Jackie Baillie MSP to ask The Scottish Government for its response to reports that then health secretary, Shona Robison, u-turned on a promise of an independent audit of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Happy Burns Night to everyone marking it across the world! Earlier this week I was delighted to host the annual Consular Corps Burns Supper where we celebrated the life and art of our beloved Bard.

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot today. 1. Sandesh Gulhane MSP to ask The Scottish Government what its response is to @nhsggc.bsky.social admission of a likely link between issues with the water supply at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and patient infections.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. @jamiegreeneuk.bsky.social to ask The Scottish Government for its response to reports that the former chief executive of CalMac received a severance package exceeding £170,000.

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. Sandesh Gulhane MSP to ask The Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on talks with @bmascotland.bsky.social representatives regarding the planned resident doctors’ strike due to begin next week.

It’s important that we gather to celebrate Hanukkah – the Festival of Lights – a time that reminds us of resilience, hope and bringing light into even the darkest moments. This year it is more essential than ever. I was so pleased to welcome members of the Jewish community to Parliament.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. @ronamackaysnp.bsky.social to ask The Scottish Government in light of the recent attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Australia, what steps are being taken to ensure community safety in Scotland.

Deeply saddened and horrified at the appalling attack on the Sydney Jewish community celebrating Chanukah at Bondi beach. The sympathy of all The Scottish Parliament is with all those affected.

An inspiring evening last week at Holyrood Event’s Scottish Public Sector Awards at The Scottish Parliament. These awards spotlight the hard work and dedication of public servants across Scotland. I extend my congratulations to everyone nominated and to our 2025 award winners.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Douglas Ross MSP will ask The Scottish Government whether it will release all correspondence between the Scottish Government and Professor Alexis Jay, and what mechanism will be used to provide this information to MSPs and Parliament.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. @tesswhitemsp.bsky.social will ask The Scottish Government what its response is to the decision of the employment tribunal of Sandie Peggie vs NHS Fife Health Board.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. Carol Mochan MSP to ask The Scottish Government, in light of NHS Ayrshire & Arran suspending routine hospital visits due to an increase in flu cases, for an update the action it is taking to support NHS boards.

I was delighted to receive this beautifully handcrafted Malawian Nativity Set from @sciaf.bsky.social as they celebrate 60 years of work tackling poverty and injustice. It will be on display at @parliament.scot over the festive period - a symbol of Scotland’s enduring friendship with Malawi. 🤝

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. Annie Wells MSP to ask The Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over 1,200 women have been treated for female genital mutilation in Glasgow in the past five years.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Liz Smith MSP will ask The Scottish Government when it first became aware that NHS Tayside had destroyed medical record logbooks relevant to the Eljamel Public Inquiry, despite “do not destroy” notices having been issued several months earlier.

Great to meet up again with The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Rt Hon Elin Jones MS and Edwin Poots MLA and welcome them to The Scottish Parliament this time. It's extremely valuable to discuss common areas of interest relevant to our parliaments.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Meghan Gallacher MSP will ask The Scottish Government whether it will hold an inquiry into grooming gangs, in light of recent reported comments by NSPCC that the country lacks a clear understanding of the scale and nature of child sexual abuse.

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @scotparl this afternoon. 1. Rachael Hamilton MSP to ask The Scottish Government for an update on the TRANSFORM prostate cancer screening trial, including any implications this may have for improving prostate cancer screening in Scotland.

Great to welcome the Tonga national rugby team, who took time to drop into The Scottish Parliament ahead of their match against Scotland on Sunday.

I've selected 2 Urgent Question for this afternoon. 1. Liam Kerr MSP will ask The Scottish Government for its response to reports that Professor Alexis Jay's comments on grooming gang inquiries were misrepresented during a debate on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @scotparl this afternoon. 1. @bobdorissnp.bsky.social to ask The Scottish Government, in light of cold temperatures and the first snowfall, for an update regarding the steps it is taking to support any households at risk of fuel poverty.

A warm welcome to the Portuguese Ambassador Nuno Brito, visiting The Scottish Parliament for the first time. We discussed housing, sustainable tourism, wildfires, transport links and the growing connections between our countries.

Great as always to welcome members of the Ukrainian community to The Scottish Parliament for 'The Light We Share: Ukrainians Enriching Scotland' event and to see the powerful stories of resilience and hope in 'The Weight We Carried' exhibition this week.

A pleasure to welcome Susanne Baumann, German Ambassador to the United Kingdom to @parliament.scot for the first time. We discussed energy, elections, AI, climate change and more, and will continue to grow the links between our parliaments.

Fantastic to welcome the gender equality working group from the Swedish Parliament @sverigesriksdag.bsky.social to our Women’s Caucus last week. An excellent discussion about challenges and achievements regarding women’s representation in politics. We learn so much from these exchanges.

I've selected an Urgent Question for today. @stephenkerr.bsky.social will ask the Scottish Government if the culture secretary will correct the record regarding reports that he said he hadn't been invited to attend a Historic Environment Scotland board meeting, despite evidence to the contrary.

Today @parliament.scot fell silent to commemorate the members of the armed forces and civilians who lost their lives in times of war.

I've selected 2 topical questions to be asked today. 1. @tesswhitemsp.bsky.social to ask The Scottish Government why it is pursuing legal action in relation to its policy on transgender prisoners, in light of the judgment in the case, For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers

I was honoured to represent @parliament.scot at the Annual Service of Remembrance in Edinburgh today.

A pleasure to meet with the @sverigesriksdag.bsky.social Gender Equality Working Group. We discussed the positive actions we can all take to achieve gender equality and to ensure our Parliaments are representative of society.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. @jhalcrojohnston.bsky.social to ask The Scottish Government how decisions on the award of offers of grants for the Future Farming Investment Scheme were made.

It was an honour to host the launch of the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal at The Scottish Parliament. Poppyscotland’s red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. For over 100 years, the campaign has raised money to support the needs of veterans and their families.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Edward Mountain MSP will ask The Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the housing of asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Ash Regan MSP will ask The Scottish Government what urgent action it will take to establish a national taskforce to identify and dismantle any exploitation networks targeting children and vulnerable adults in Scotland.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. Liam Kerr MSP to ask The Scottish Government what its response is to the prison population reaching a record high of 8,430 prisoners.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot today. 1. @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social to ask the Govt how it plans to meet the interim & final child poverty reduction targets, in light of @jrf-uk.bsky.social findings that current levels remain largely unchanged since 2021.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Stephen Kerr MSP will ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it will take to address the reported crisis in the college sector, in light of the findings in the Audit Scotland publication, Scotland's colleges 2025.

I've selected an Urgent Question for this afternoon. Pam Gosal MSP will ask the Scottish Government who it consulted before producing the “Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools Guidance for Education Authorities and Schools”, which it published yesterday.

I have selected 3 topical questions to be asked in @scotparl this afternoon. 1. @katysclark.bsky.social to ask the Government for its response to the Scottish Funding Council's report stating that universities and colleges are in unsustainable financial situations, with some at risk of insolvency.

My most sincere sympathies to the family & friends of Sir Menzies Campbell. I was pleased to know him through our shared roles at Scottish Athletics and through politics over the years. The warm tributes being shared reflect his many remarkable achievements and hallmark kindness & courtesy. 📷PA

Today we welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to @parliament.scot for the unveiling of a new portrait of His Majesty The King. 👑

A pleasure to welcome @senedd.wales Members to the Parliament yesterday. We discussed how we can make our parliaments more inclusive, more representative and the @parliament.scot report 'A Parliament for All': www.parliament.scot/about/how-pa...

I've selected an Urgent Question for answer this afternoon @parliament.scot. Murdo Fraser will ask the Government whether it will clarify its position regarding whether local authorities will be given powers to introduce a visitor levy on a flat charge basis, as an alternative to a percentage.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked in @parliament.scot on Tuesday. 1. Alexander Stewart MSP will ask the Scottish Government for its response to reports that more than 1,000 Scottish charities are closing every year.

The Young Women and Democracy Summit took place last week @parliament.scot. 🙌 Together, we’re creating space for voices that must be heard in Scottish politics. 💬👥

Today at 2:00pm we debate a motion of condolence to honour the life of our second Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. Flags at Holyrood fly at half mast as a mark of our respect.

I have selected 2 topical questions to be asked @parliament.scot this afternoon. 1. Douglas Lumsden will ask the Scottish Government its response to the Nuclear Industry Association's reported view that Scotland will miss out on thousands of new jobs due to its stance on nuclear energy.