Chamber and committees

None.

None.

The content of any legal advice is confidential. By long-standing convention, successive Scottish and Westminster Governments have not disclosed the source or content of legal advice other than in the most exceptional circumstances.

The Scottish Government’s position has been established for several years and reflected in submissions to the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee. The sheep on St Kilda are regarded as an unowned and unmanaged population of wild animals. They are protected under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 when brought under human control, and at other times by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.

PE2021 EnsureAnimal Health and Welfare Scotland Act 2006 applies to the sheep on St Kilda | Scottish Parliament Website

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission have confirmed, at the request of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland, that it will establish a working group to consider the moral and ethical issues for landowners in managing feral animals in Scotland, including the St Kilda sheep, and to develop an opinion on their welfare.

The National Trust for Scotland is undertaking a full review of the situation on St Kilda and as the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands confirmed in Parliament on 08 January 2026, the Scottish Government willingness to engage and work closely with the Trust on this matter.

The reallocation of ministerial responsibility for determining energy consents occurred as follows:

On 17 December 2025 I wrote to the First Minister, stating that I would be able to more effectively engage with communities on onshore energy policy if the ministerial responsibility for determining consents was transferred to the Minister for Public Finance.

On 18 December 2025 the First Minister replied in agreement and confirmed the transfer of ministerial responsibility.

On 19 December 2025 I wrote to the Convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee to inform the Committee of the transfer of ministerial responsibility.

As at 1 June 2025, and based on the Billing System Snapshot, an annual property-level data return provided to the Scottish Government by councils, it does not appear that any Small Business Bonus Scheme relief was awarded to any shootings or deer forests held by Forestry Land Scotland, National Trust Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, Crown Estate Scotland, local authorities or other public agencies. We do not therefore anticipate any material impact on these bodies from removing eligibility for Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for shootings and deer forests (subject to prescribed exceptions).

Local valuation boards have no role in collecting non-domestic rates.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43079 on 29 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43079 on 29 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found athttps://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43079 on 29 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43190 on 28 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.