🎭Record funding for culture is being delivered by the Scottish Government. Thanks to Jack Lowden and arts sector for making the case. #Culture #Scotland

Improving access to culture, heritage and the arts for the blind and visually impaired is an important priority. Many thanks to Euan's Guide and Sight Scotland for the constructive discussions. Am looking forward to joint initiatives to make sure access is optimised.

Lots of good info in this study by Carnegie UK. Collectively, findings indicate that Scotland is performing well across most aspects of wellbeing and that long-term investment in communities and services is showing results.

Great to be at the Old Royal High School as Edinburgh Central MSP. The £4.5 million awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund which will help bring this ambitious project—which will become a jewel in Scotland’s performing arts crown—to fruition.

Congrats to the Haymarket Café in Edinburgh Central, which has received a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award placing among the top ten per cent of restaurants and cafés worldwide. Well done Greg, Louie, and the team.

The reconvening of the Just Transition Commission will help ensure Scotland’s climate ambition is realised. In a time when far-right parties are peddling climate denial, the Holyrood elections will be vital for securing a sustainable future.

Scotland’s collective wellbeing has risen to its highest level since measurements began, according to new research from Carnegie UK. Details below👇 www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Good to meet the new Swiss Ambassador Dominique Paravicini. Scotland and Switzerland share a commitment to deepening ties across culture, trade and innovation and will work toward a future of even closer cooperation. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🇨🇭

With Labour drifting to 3rd place in some polls, the choice at the next Scottish Parliament election will be between a progressive SNP Government or the populist right of Nigel Farage. Let’s keep Edinburgh and Scotland Farage-free. #VoteSNP.

Across every level of government, Labour has betrayed its social conscience. It’s no wonder Labour have drifted behind Farage’s far-right outfit. The SNP is the only party to fight for progressive outward vision for Scotland. #voteSNP www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🇵🇸Thanks to Palestinian Ambassador Zomlot for visit to Scotland. The Scottish Government will continue support for Gaza ceasefire, Palestinian Statehood and a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel

📣Next Edinburgh Central SNP campaign sessions details below👇 🗳️All welcome whether new or well-heeled campaigners - many thanks to all who have come out so far. #SP26 #BothVotesSNP

📣Details of next Edinburgh Central SNP campaign sessions for Scottish Parliament elections🗳️ ⬇️All welcome to join our excellent campaign team. #SP26 #BothVotesSNP #ScottishParliamentElections

Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative is giving every child the chance to discover music, creativity and confidence. It’s a world-leading programme now celebrating 20 years of success. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Thanks to Palestinian Ambassador Zomlot for addressing SNP conference. Delighted to speak for the motion outlining Scotland’s continued stand for compassion, international law and humanitarian aid in Gaza and beyond. 🔗 www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Fantastic sign-up for training with new Activate Doorstep App. Delegates at the SNP conference can register at the HQ desk. #SNP25 #SP26

Paying tribute to the aid volunteers on Gaza humanitarian flotilla in the Scottish Parliament. Very concerning to hear reports about their treatment by Israeli authorities.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿A fresh start with Scottish independence. Check out the details via Scottish Government website👇www.gov.scot

Scotland’s screen sector is on course to contribute £1 billion to the Scottish economy. With skilled crews and stunning locations, Scotland continues to be a draw for international investment, and a nurturing home-grown talent.

#SNPconference kicks off this weekend, and the case for Scottish independence in Europe has never been stronger. Look forward to engaging with party members, delegates, colleagues, and candidates as we look towards May’s elections.

📣More culture funding available The Scottish Government’s Culture Collective Fund has opened for applications. Administered by Creative Scotland, the fund enables organisations in arts, screen & creative industries to work directly with communities. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Scotland deserves more than Westminster’s leftovers.#Scottishindependence puts our energy, our wealth, and our future back in Scottish hands. Lots to discuss and be optimistic about at @theSNP conference this weekend. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Scotland marks the German Day of Unity. Big thanks to the German Consulate, Consul General Christiane Hullmann and star guest piper Lieutenant Colonel Dirksmeier of the German Airforce. Alles Gute zum Tag der Deutschen Einheit! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🇩🇪 #TDE25

The Scottish Government agrees that mobile phones should be banned in school classrooms. Good to join MSP’s in Holyrood vote which affirms power for schools to act. www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Is the cost of living crisis impacting you, your family & friends? In Scotland, the Scottish Child Payment, new Winter Heating Payment & Fuel Insecurity Fund have been introduced by Scot Gov to help. For help, email me as MSP for Edinburgh Central Constituency: [email protected]

The only parties currently outperforming Reform at present are the SNP in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales. Labour face third place in both countries behind Farage.

Thanks are due to Historic Environment Scotland, Edinburgh City Council, SNP Councillor Finlay McFarlane and local residents for successful efforts to resolve the rockfall risk on Castle Rock. The King Stables Road footpath can now reopen.

I am deeply concerned at STV’s proposals to cut around 60 jobs and close its North of Scotland news programme. Reliable news from trusted sources is an important part of Scottish society and a decline in dedicated regional coverage risks weakening this.

Starmer entered party conference week facing doubts from his own membership - polling showing that more than half of his members don’t want him to lead into the next general election. Scotland can’t afford to be dragged down by Labour in disarray. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

The only parties currently outperforming Reform at present are the SNP in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales. Labour face third place in both countries behind Farage. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

The UK should not take part in Eurovision Song Contest as genocide continues in Gaza. I have written to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC DG Tim Davie to call for the BBC to join other EBU members in calling for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest.

📣My next Edinburgh Central constituence cost-of-living support event is this Friday at @TheCrannie. Details below👇

How the BBC misleadingly reported that Edinburgh Waverley was amongst the worst performing train stations for cancellations when it isn’t and Scotland is actually best performing in GB. Report in The National.

The recognition of a Palestinian state by France, Belgium, Canada, Portugal and Australia, and the United Kingdom is important and welcome, but more important is utilising the United Nations General Assembly to advance peace and act on our commitment to international justice.

Palestine State: The international community must uphold peace and justice, with ceasefire, hostage release and two-state solution Details 👇#Gaza #Genocide

📣This Friday📣 I will be running the third of my Cost-of-Living support events for constituents to get help on energy, housing, health and social care, bills, and more. 📍 The Crannie ☕️ Refreshments available

I welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to increase funding to improve access to services for disabled people, a great cross-party initiative led by Shirley-Anne Somerville with one of Parliament’s key disability rights campaigners, Jeremy Balfour

Palestine State: The international community must uphold peace and justice, with ceasefire, hostage release and two-state solution. #Gaza #Genocide www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Eleven years after voting for recognition of Palestine in the House of Commons it's welcome to see the UK finally do so. Good that Scotland's First Minister John Swinney joined Ambassador Zomlot at the Palestinian Embassy. www.thenational.scot/news/2548535...

Scotland‘s future as an independent member state of the European Union with major energy cooperation between Scotland and Germany. Details in Der Spiegel👇 www.spiegel.de/ausland/scho...

Gaza Genocide: UK government must end all arms exports to Israel. After UN findings on genocide of Palestinians by Israel how can Labour ministers justify any military support to Israel?

With the recent UN report concluding genocide is taking place in Gaza, it is unconscionable that Israel should be allowed to partake in international competitions such as Eurovision. Russia’s exclusions gives adequate precedent for this.

🏆Fantastic awards for Traitors at the #Emmys. The success reflects the talent of all involved and underlines the impact of productions filmed in Scotland, and progress welcome to see more production staff based in Scotland.

📣I will be running the third of my Cost-of-Living support events for constituents to get help on energy, housing, health and social care, bills, and more. 📍 The Crannie 🗓️ Friday, 26 September ☕️ Refreshments available

Really delighted to have launched a world-first in Scotland: film and screen studies is now part of the school curriculum for primary and secondary schools. Many thanks to all teachers and pupils for successful trials. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

The BBC should join the growing number of broadcasters to boycott Eurovision if Israel is involved. The UK should not take part in Eurovision Song Contest as genocide continues in Gaza. www.bbc.com/news/article...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌍Scotland has become the first country in the world to introduce Film and Screen studies into primary and secondary schools. Thanks to Scottish Government, Screen Scotland, Education Scotland and all teachers and pupils in pilot schools for making this happen. 📽️🎬 📺 www.screen.scot/news/2025/se...

Why can’t UK Government Ministers answer basic questions about democratic process? If we are all democrats, Scotland must have the right to choose our own future at the ballot box.

Great to see new proposals to expand benefits for unpaid carers. This includes a new annual payment of up to £520 for people caring for more than one person. The measure is expected to benefit around 18,000 carers across Scotland.

The right to decide is a matter of democracy. It is not a question of whether individuals support or oppose independence, but whether Scotland is treated as a nation entitled to make choices about its own future. The SNP will champion our right to decide. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion