It's the opening ceremony of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament today. My Sister, Elaine, was part of my great start in life, and I'm pleased she's here at the start of this parliamentary term.

Every parliamentary term, @scotlink.bsky.social offers MSPs the opportunity to become a Nature Champion, for Scotland’s threatened and iconic species and habitats So, I will now be championing brown long-eared bats for the next five years (as well as everyone who lives in Aberdeen Donside!)

Viewers are going to be far from happy with the idea that their local news will be no longer be local Earlier this week, I spoke in Jack Middleton's members debate, calling for STV North News to be saved, and talking about why local news matters.

I had a wonderful time at Aberdeen's Treasure Hub this morning, getting to see how some of our city's history is being looked after.

Keir Starmer may have finally clocked out, but I've been out and about in my constituency this morning. Who can guess where I was?

Last month, I wrote to the Labour UK Government after it chose support Russia rather than local energy jobs. I asked how the UK Government was going to mitigate the devastating impact of its energy policy in Aberdeen. The reply didn't answer, so I have asked again.

After a historic win against Haiti, let's get right behind our boys against Morocco tonight! Good luck!

Four hours left to make your vote count. If you want SNP voices standing up for Scotland, you have to vote for it. Aberdeen South: Richard Thomson Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: Lara Bird Vote SNP today and remember your ID.

In 5 years as an MSP, a Tory representing Aberdeen has not once bothered to write to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero He's asked questions about salt sachets & flags but not bothered to contact the Energy Secretary about our city's major industry www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdee...

Douglas Lumsden cost the taxpayer around £185,000 with 1,339 AI-generated questions about salt sachets and flagpoles But at wasteful Westminster, it's estimated it costs £237 to answer a question. So Douglas's AI-antics would have cost the taxpayer £326,349 if he'd been an MP

Today, the Scottish Government has announced an extra £600,000 of funding for Our Union Street Union Street is home to so much of what folk love about Aberdeen, and that's why @snp.org is supporting our city centre with this investment

The Tories barely lifted a finger as 70,000 oil & gas jobs were lost on their watch, but signed-off on nuclear powers plants in England costing £87 billion Meanwhile, The @snp.org Scottish Government's Just Transition Fund is investing £500 million to support energy jobs in North East Scotland

All the best to our boys in b̶l̶u̶e̶ p̶i̶n̶k̶ salmon against Haiti tonight There's even a bank holiday on Monday to ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to enjoy our first appearance at the World Cup since 1998

This morning I met with representatives from the Falkland Islands Government, to learn about their Sea Lion oil development, and how local companies based in Aberdeen could support that. Governments are travelling from 8,000 miles away to meet and learn about our world-class energy workforce!

Scotland’s wind farms will pay £1 billion to connect to the UK grid. Meanwhile, projects elsewhere in the UK will be paid to connect. Scotland generates the energy. Scots should see the benefit.

A brief history of the Energy Profits Levy. Introduced by the Tories. Increased by Labour. Costing thousands of energy workers their jobs. Only @snp.org can be trusted to stand up for local jobs in Aberdeen.

Promises made, promises delivered. Aberdeen’s new GP walk-in centre will open on 23 June - the seventh in Scotland, and we will open another four within the first 100 days of this government. We’re making it easier for you to see a GP and ending the 8am rush.

70,000 oil & gas jobs were lost under the last Tory government. OEUK figures show there 153,000 people were working in oil & gas in 2010. By 2023, that had collapsed to just 83,700. A fall of 43% while the Tories were in charge. Scotland's energy should be in Scotland's hands.

While the Tories' windfall tax was destroying jobs in Scotland, it's been revealed that Kemi Badenoch gave a £600 million backing for an energy plant in Belgium! The Tories may support energy jobs in Antwerp, but only @snp.org is standing up for energy workers in Aberdeen

Aberdonians deserve public transport that works for them, which is reliable, affordable, and gets them across our city Today, I was pleased to see what Aberdeen Rapid Transit will look when it comes to our city Find out where you can see this yourself at www.aberdeenrapidtransit.org

Scotland should be an independent nation A new poll shows from Norstat shows that a majority of people favour Scottish independence Help us make it happen and join our movement at snp.org/join

BROKEN | Despite its huge value and popularity locally, STV North News is going to end. London-based Ofcom has signed-off London-based Rufus Radcliffe's proposal earlier today. Once again, Aberdeen is worse-off due to decisions taken in London.

Great to visit Techfest today, the North-East of Scotland’s annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths If you want something fun and free to do with the kids this weekend, then head along to RGU this Saturday and Sunday, between 9.30am and 4pm

At First Minister's Questions, I asked about the impact of a 13% rise in the energy price cap. The UK Government have utterly failed to bring down energy bills and families across energy-rich Scotland are paying the price. It's time to put Scotland's energy in Scotland's hands.

In my first speech since the election, I spoke about my ambitions for Aberdeen: That Aberdeen becomes a Net Zero capital, securing the legacy of North Sea oil, That folk in our energy capital don't have to worry about their energy bills, And that no bairn goes to bed hungry.

Labour want renewables but no oil. Tories and Reform want oil but no renewables. Jobs in Aberdeen rely on both. Don't let the unionists tell us we have to choose. It's all Scotland's energy, and we should be able to have it all.

I worked in a petrol station on King Street, then after my daughter was born I moved to Tesco Danestone for 14 years until I was elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2007 💪 I never realised working in Tesco and petrol stations were middle-class jobs 🤷‍♀️ www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

The Labour UK Government is choosing to support Russia rather than local energy jobs. It's shameful and I have written to Ed Miliband asking for him to reconsider his priorities.

My partner Don & daughter Dawn came to see me being sworn in as the MSP for Aberdeen Donside today. I also wore one of Muriel Jaffrey's bracelets today. She was an SNP member for 69 years, a force of nature in the Bridge of Don, and tireless campaigner for Scottish independence.

And let's not forget the first steps, freezing pensioners by cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and letting children go hungry by keeping the Child Cap in place. It's time for change, it's time for Keir Starmer to go.

“I have written to M&S to ask what they are doing to support their staff in their Stoneywood store. “This is a popular shop with folk who live in the local area and nearby communities. "I think a lot of folk will be sad to see this close.” www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aber...

Getting my official photo today 📸 This should look a lot better than the campaign selfies I've been posting for the last few weeks 🤳😅

A re-elected SNP government will put a price cap on a basket of essential foods in large supermarkets, including basics like bread, milk and eggs, so families can afford the essentials and no one is priced out of a balanced diet. Make it #BothVotesSNP on May 7 for a government that’s on your side.

Great day for @theSNP campaigning in Aberdeen Donside, not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket 😉 The big date for your diaries should be 7 May though, all you need is to make it #BothVotesSNP. #ActiveSNP

Out on the doors with team @AberdeenSNP in the Bridge of Don this week

28 days until the Scottish Parliament election! 🗳️ Another morning and evening out on the doors across Donside, speaking to folk about #BothVotesSNP

Sunny evening out on the doors in Bridge of Don tonight! ☀️

Northfield this afternoon, and Kingswells this evening. More positive conversations out on the doors for #BothVotesSNP on 7 May 2026.

Back out on the doors with this fantastic @AberdeenSNP team!

Fantastic effort out on the doors by @aberdeensnp.bsky.social this week, talking to folk about why they should make it both votes SNP on 7 May 2026. Enjoying a quiet Easter Sunday with family today, and we will be back out talking to folk soon.

Westminster is sleepwalking into an energy crisis and Scotland is left paying the price. Scotland’s energy should be in Scotland’s hands, so we can bring bills down and build a wealthier country. On May 7th, make it #bothvotesSNP for a fresh start with independence and lower energy bills.

Scotland is one of the richest energy nations in the world. So why are bills still through the roof? If Westminster won’t bring them down, they should hand energy powers to Scotland. And if we're returned to government that's exactly what we'll demand. Make it Both votes SNP on Thursday 7 May.

Another good afternoon out on the doors around Rosehill. #activeSNP

I spent my day today as one of the thousands at the March and Rally for Scottish Independence in Edinburgh Great speeches, huge turnout, and a movement united in wanting Scotland's future to be in Scotland's hands

Yesterday was the final day of the @ScotParl session, and it has been an absolute privilage serving the people of Aberdeen Donside over the last five years. As we move into the campaign period, and as I seek re-election on the 7 May 2026, there are couple of changes👇🏻

Thank you to Mark Williams for coming to the Education and Young People committee today, to talk about the amazing work that Denis Law Legacy Trust does. Folk across Aberdeen have seen the trust changing lives and benefiting communities. I'm pleased that it's now being seen in @parliament.scot too.

My statement on last night's vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

My statement on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

We were out on the doors in Bridge of Don this afternoon! #activeSNP

Lots of positive responses out on the doors today in Mastrick #activeSNP