As MSP for the Highlands & Islands, I'm here to help. Reach out any time using the contact details below - whether you need help with something, want to know more about my position on a particular policy, or just want to make me aware of an issue, I’ll be glad to hear from you.

This was a big week in Parliament, with the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill passing. I also led my own debate on the intensity and frequency of wildfires, and questioned government on healthcare and children's rights.

It was an honour to join MECOPP's 25th birthday celebrations between parliamentary business this week, and be asked to speak. This organisation does incredible work recognising and supporting carers from racialised minority backgrounds and I'll always do what I can to support its amazing team.

Done responsibly, tourism can be beneficial. But we need people to live in the region more than we need tourists. We need vibrant, thriving communities, with families, young people, and skilled workers making the Highlands their home. ✍️ My latest blog: emmaroddick.scot/202...

I'm sorry not to be able to meet constituents who have gathered for the Climate Mass Lobby at Dynamic Earth. However, I am stuck inside for good reason: pushing for more action on preventing and tackling wildfires, given the increase in frequency and intensity.

There’s been an increase in the number and intensity of wildfires in recent years - we’ve all seen it. 🌳😨 @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social will lead a debate on this in Parliament this afternoon. Watch here after 12.45pm - www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...

Really gutting that Labour & Tories chose to vote against this important bill today. Happily, it passed anyway. Not Proven has been abolished, a specialist court will handle rape and sexual assault cases, and victims will be better supported thanks to the changes made by the @snp.org government.

I've loved having the Tool Library in the Carse - happily, it's not moving too far down the road! I came by for its last big open day in Telford Retail Park for the Climate Festival. The team is always looking for volunteers - invernesstoollibrary...

The reason I wanted to get involved in politics, the reason I keep going, and the reason I am who I am, is homelessness. I'll take any opportunity to help end it in Scotland, including working with the incredible Crisis team. Looking forward to the final stage of the Housing Bill very soon 🏠 ❤️

This week brought a few opportunities to get involved in debates and speak about Highlands and Islands industry and transport services. Back home, I had some lovely chats at events and delivering newspapers to communities in Merkinch, South Kessock, and the Carse.

As MSP for the Highlands & Islands, I'm here to help. Reach out any time using the contact details below - whether you need help with something, want to know more about my position on a particular policy, or just want to make me aware of an issue, I’ll be glad to hear from you.

🚂 Rail improvements have wide-ranging impact. As well as welcoming the huge progress this session on rail, from nationalising ScotRail to the new Inverness Airport station, I outlined the need to continue to make improvements and support key industries to move their freight onto the railway.

When a child's in hospital, the last thing parents and carers should have to worry about is how they'll afford to be there. I've heard from Highlands & Islands families about the huge costs involved. The Young Patient's Family Fund is a compassionate way to ease that pressure.

🥀 Labour's National Insurance hike and failure to tackle energy costs has been hitting businesses and charities, including in the Highlands and Islands, hard. I asked the Scottish Government to join me in calling for the UK Government to reverse these policies 👇

It was such an honour to celebrate Headway Highland's 25th anniversary and to meet so many of the people who make this charity a lifeline, supporting people living with an acquired brain injury.

🏰 It's great to see a variety of roles out for recruitment ahead of the Inverness Castle opening to the public later this year. If you're keen to play a part in this exciting new chapter for Inverness and the Highlands, take a look here: invernesscastle.scot...

The first week back in Parliament is always busy, trying to balance getting stuck into business and raising issues that people came to speak to me about over my summer surgeries. From Palestine to crofting, waterways to child poverty, there's been a lot to get through... 👇

I joined Highland Palestine in Inverness yesterday, welcoming the First Minister's statement. I'm proud Scotland took a strong stance this week, acting where we can and encouraging the UK Gov to do more to end the suffering. Scotland does not want to be complicit in a genocide.

As MSP for the Highlands & Islands, I'm here to help. Constituents can reach out any time using the contact details below - whether you need help with something, want to know more about my position on policy, or just want me to be aware of an issue, I’ll be glad to hear from you.

I really enjoyed my visit to the Inverness Creative Academy with @sca-n.bsky.social, who arranged for me to meet with a lot of local artists and discuss what contemporary art means.

I know many constituents are extremely concerned about the genocide in Gaza and show up regularly to add their voice to the many Scots opposing it. I asked the First Minister today about support for Gaza Families Reunited and I'm glad he will explore this again with the UK Gov. (Answer in reply)

Nairn, Black Isle, Orkney County, Cunningsburgh, Islay: I've spent a lot of time as an MSP, chatting to farmers, locals, and orgs the last 4yrs. Recently, my sister and I were cleaning out our mam's stuff and found what we think was my first official agricultural show visit 👶

The Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund is open! This fund will support new community toilet facilities for people with complex disabilities & health conditions across Scotland. I'm very keen to see these in the Highlands & Islands. Info on applying: inspiringscotland.or...

It was lovely to get back to Shopmobility, a place I got to know well when I was wee and came here with my mam for shopping in Inverness. People don't tend to know this charity until they or a loved one needs it, but then it becomes a vital part of living life.

📢 The Creative Communities Scotland Fund is open! Organisations can apply for up to £35k to support hands-on, participatory creative activities in the community. Apply by noon on Thurs 18th September: inspiringscotland.or... If I can help, please reach out!

The Archie Foundation does so much behind the scenes for families who need a bit of support through illness and bereavement. It was great to catch up with Neil to talk more about this work, and look around the children's unit at Raigmore, hearing from staff about their priorities for change.

I took a walk with the Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, chatting about how much the area has changed for the better under the stewardship of its volunteers. This is such a special place to have on our doorsteps.

The schools are back! And some are experiencing it for the very first time. Parent Club has shared some really useful advice for parents with bairns starting primary school. You can find it here: www.parentclub.scot/...

This week took me everywhere from the Highland Wildlife Park to Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, with lots of meetings in between, whether it was Nairn River Community Council or local artists at the Creative Academy 👇

💛 It was great to meet friends and new faces at the Raigmore Motel last night for our Meet the Candidate event. I answered questions on everything from lamppost posters to wind farms. Hope to see folk again soon as we campaign to retain Inverness & Nairn for the SNP!

I've been out knocking doors the last few weeks, picking up some casework and chatting about local issues. I'll get to as many doorsteps as possible, but you don't have to wait for me to show up to raise an issue. Reach out - contact info & more at www.emmaroddick.scot

There's a lot going on at the Highland Wildlife Park - great to tour with the RZSS to hear about the wildcat release programme, tour the invertebrates, and help track scabious mining bees: I even got to hold one! Left the leeches to their tanks, though... 👀

📅 Inverness City SNP is hosting a "Meet the Candidate" event on Friday - that candidate being me! Come along, join in the quiz with some pals, and have a chat about politics. Raigmore Motel, 19:00-22:00 - only £10 a person. 💛 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This week was a mixed bag - thick fog prevented my Fair Isle surgery going ahead, but I was able to pick up casework at other surgeries and reach out to as many constituents as possible, while also attending agricultural shows and chatting to charities.

My team and I have been working away on some cases about housing, noise disruption, and antisocial behaviour. I came back to Raigmore Community Centre last week to join a drop-in with Housing officers from the Highland Council and discuss a few of the key problems.

The Nairn Games got lucky with the weather again this year - loved catching up with Nairnshire SNP, local businesses, and charities including the RNLI and MCR Pathways (which is looking for mentors!)

Politicians are getting exciting about rewilding 🦫 The Scottish Rewilding Alliance and our Scotland Policy Lead Charlotte Maddix, showed MSP @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social the power of beavers at South Clunes Farm and Abriachan Forest a few weeks ago. 🧵1/2

Since 2017, over 58,600 baby boxes have been delivered across Highlands & Islands health boards. In a cost of living crisis, when essentials have risen in price, this support ensures every child has an equal start. For support or info, reach out - I'll do what I can to help.

I met up with Conor from the Inverness Street Art Project to admire the "Island of the Horse" mural in Merkinch and present him with a copy of a motion I lodged on it. I absolutely love this artwork, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else the group will bring colour to🐴🎨

I enjoyed a walkaround with some members of Merkinch and South Kessock Community Council, chatting about ways I could help with local issues, from specific cases of people struggling with the NHS and other services to the primary school and path maintenance.

📢 Scran Kitchen officially opens today! 🌮 It was great to get to go along and see what they've done with the Eastgate Food Court on Friday, getting a taster of their lovely food. Highly recommend giving it a go - can't go wrong with Cru!

Another busy week, picking up on issues I can help with and getting out to events like the opening of Scran in Eastgate and agricultural shows to meet more people. I also took time to join locals at a vigil for Gaza to protest the genocide - the suffering is awful and must end.

We are lucky to have so many great places to meet and work in Inverness. One of my chats this week took place over a Café Paulo coffee in the Creative Academy. I love being in here - always great art to appreciate in such a beautiful space 🎨 ☕

An opportunity has arisen to join my team as a Regional Officer based in Inverness! My small team would be excited to welcome a motivated individual who can provide support to me and constituents across the Highlands and Islands. Find out more and apply: tinyurl.com/eroddickmsp

🛜 The SNP's exceeded its target last year with 27k new connections to superfast broadband through R100. 🗻 Over 6k of those were in council areas in the Highlands & Islands; fantastic news for constituents who have struggled with slow internet! 📰 More: www.gov.scot/news/br...

As an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, I'm here to help. I still have a number of summer surgeries coming up - but you don't have to wait for one of these to raise an issue or ask for help. Contact my office at any time on [email protected] or phone 01463 563036.

The Selkie Collective is a great wee business in Skye, fighting plastic waste through encouraging more sustainable purchases & getting involved in beach cleaning and education. I picked up a couple gifts as well as some dried fruits while on a quick visit to see how I can help.

It was lovely to catch up with Sarah at the Brent Centre; a fantastic resource for young people's mental health. We chatted everything from public services to Highland culture, and I was pleased to offer a letter of support for funding, knowing how much the charity has done.

I wasn't supposed to get into politics, but 2014 changed things for Scotland. We got to hope, have a say, and be heard. The next independence campaign will change them even more: Scotland will make its own decisions. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 My views on the renewed campaign: emmaroddick.scot/202...

And just like that, July is over! I've been out and about all month, chatting to as many people as possible and picking up on issues I may be able to help with as a local MSP. Read more in the latest edition of my monthly newsletter: mailchi.mp/c6db40050...