Chamber and committees

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported ongoing delay to progress towards a new grade separated junction on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass at Sherrifhall; understands that a public local inquiry was carried out in early 2023, with results reviewed by an independent reporter and delivered to the Scottish Government in early 2024; further understands that the report has been under active consideration by the Scottish Ministers for over a year; believes that motorists using the Edinburgh City Bypass have been subjected to hours of unnecessary congestion due to delays in delivering the A720 Sherrifhall roundabout, since funding was committed in 2018 as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal; notes the calls for the Scottish Ministers to prioritise what it sees as this crucial infrastructure project, which, it understands, motorists in the south east of Scotland have been waiting seven years for; understands that the upgrade was originally priced at £120 million; notes the calls on ministers to urgently update the Parliament on the full details of any additional costs for the development of the junction due to the length of time that it has taken to progress it, and further notes the view that it is strategically important to make the improvements on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass at Sherrifhall, to help deliver improvements to infrastructure that will support local and national economic growth.

That the Parliament welcomes the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee’s 1st Report, 2025 (Session 6), A blueprint for participation - embedding deliberative democracy in the work of the Scottish Parliament (SP Paper 789), including the blueprint for this work in Session 7 with a view to making the use of such panels a regular feature of committee scrutiny from Session 7 onwards; endorses the principles for the future use of deliberative democracy that are set out in the blueprint, and acknowledges the work already being done by Parliament staff to develop and improve engagement methods.

That the Parliament commends Andrew West, owner of the Forever Faithful, on his well-deserved success at the Fishing News Awards 2025, where his vessel was named Over-15m Boat of the Year; recognises what it sees as Andrew’s outstanding commitment to innovation, maritime safety, and the future of the Scottish fishing industry, demonstrated through the vessel’s cutting-edge design, which, it understands, includes a revolutionary bagging arm and enhanced crew accommodation that sets a new standard for safety and comfort at sea; applauds his forward-thinking approach to vessel design and deep-rooted dedication to his crew and the wider sector, and thanks him for playing a leading role in ensuring Scotland’s proud fishing and seafaring traditions continue to thrive in the modern era.

That the Parliament commends the team at Premier convenience store in Whitehills, Banffshire and Buchan Coast, for raising £1,170 through a lucky squares raffle in support of Marie Curie’s Deveron and District branch; understands that this generous contribution will fund 50 hours of vital end-of-life nursing care across the AB postcode area; applauds the efforts of organiser Ruth Calder, the store team, and the many local businesses, including Gauld’s Fruit and Veg, Farmlay Eggs, Brackla Eggs, John Stewart, Booker Aberdeen, Booker Elgin, Walkers Shortbread, and JG Ross, whose donations made the fundraiser possible; acknowledges what it sees as the invaluable work of Marie Curie in providing compassionate palliative care and support to individuals and families facing terminal illness, and recognises what it sees as the outstanding community spirit of the village of Whitehills, whose generosity and support exemplify the very best of Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

That the Parliament commends local charity group, Ray’s Opportunities, for purchasing the former Ley’s Road public conveniences in Forres, with the intention of re-opening the toilet block and making it wheelchair-friendly and up to Changing Places standard; believes that this development will make it easier and safer for people who wish to visit the town centre and its many excellent retail and hospitality businesses, and congratulates Ray’s Opportunities’ founder, Ray McDonald, on his commitment to improving opportunities for local people and, in particular, those with disabilities.

That the Parliament congratulates Clydebank FC on winning promotion to the Scottish Lowland Football League; understands that after winning the West of Scotland Premier Division, the Bankies qualified for a play-off with the East of Scotland champions Musselburgh Athletic; notes that the play-off was a two-legged affair with the first leg in Musselburgh, resulting in a 1-1 draw, and that following a 2-0 victory at Holm Park, Clydebank sealed a 3-1 aggregate win, which promoted the club to the fifth tier of Scottish football, one step below the Scottish Professional Football League; congratulates everyone involved with the club on this monumental achievement, and wishes them all the best for the 2025-26 season.

That the Parliament congratulates Aberdeen Football Club on winning the 2025 Scottish Cup, its first triumph in the competition in 35 years, following a dramatic 1-1 draw and a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Celtic at Hampden Park on 24 May 2025; commends the players and coaching staff, particularly manager, Jimmy Thelin, in his debut season as manager, and goalkeeper, Dimitar Mitov, whose heroics in the shootout were instrumental in securing the Club’s eighth Scottish Cup title; acknowledges the leadership of chairman, Dave Cormack, whose vision and commitment, it believes, has helped steer the Club both on and off the pitch; celebrates the Club’s continued dedication to charitable and community work through the Aberdeen FC Community Trust, which, it understands, delivers vital programmes across the north east; notes the passionate support of fans, exemplified by the tens of thousands who lined the streets of Aberdeen for the homecoming parade, and recognises this victory as a moment of immense pride not just for the Club, but for the wider city and region, showcasing what it sees as the deep-rooted connection between football and community in Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates Scottish Men's Sheds Association (SMSA) on being shortlisted for the 2025 SCVO Scottish Charity Awards final; understands that the first Men’s Shed in Scotland was set up in 2013 in Westhill in Aberdeenshire West, and that SMSA is now Scotland's largest member-led men's health and wellbeing charity; acknowledges that the SMSA exists to inspire and support a movement built by men, for men, and its intergenerational community; commends the SMSA for its continued hard work, and wishes it best of luck for the upcoming SCVO Scottish Charity Awards final on 19 June 2025.

That the Parliament warmly congratulates Glasgow-based author Breea Keenan, a proud graduate of the University of Strathclyde, on winning the prestigious Debut Romantic Novel Award at the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2025 for her debut novel, Plot Twist; recognises the significance of this accolade as a major achievement for a first-time author in the romantic fiction genre, celebrating creativity, storytelling, and fresh voices in literature; acknowledges that Plot Twist has been widely praised by readers and critics alike for its heart-warming, witty, and engaging portrayal of Scottish and Irish culture and romance; appreciates the hard work, dedication, and talent Breea has demonstrated in crafting a novel that has resonated deeply with a broad audience; believes that her success brings deserved attention to Glasgow’s vibrant literary scene and the University of Strathclyde’s role in nurturing local talent, inspiring emerging writers throughout Scotland and contributing positively to the cultural fabric of the country, and wishes Breea continued success in her writing career and looks forward to her future contributions to Scottish literature.

That the Parliament recognises the 42nd Orkney Folk Festival, which ran from 22 to 25 May 2025; understands that the event sold a record-breaking 8,600 tickets over the course of the weekend; recognises that artists from Canada, USA, Australia, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Sápmi, and across the UK joined local Orcadian musicians as part of a 60 act line-up that performed over the four days; notes in particular, the concert to mark the 30th anniversary of the much-loved youth project, Hadhirgaan, which involves pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School led by tutor, Douglas Montgomery, which to date has produced over 200 young musicians, some of whom are now amongst Orkney’s finest and most talented performers; acknowledges that the concert saw 100 of Douglas’s pupils, past and present, mark the momentous milestone and the exceptional legacy of Douglas Montgomery, who was voted Music Tutor of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2024; notes the incredible array of talent on show over the course of the weekend, showcasing the quality and diversity of both Orcadian and international folk music; recognises that the Orkney Folk Festival is now internationally renowned, and believes that it helps to preserve, celebrate and enhance Orkney’s rich musical heritage and culture; commends the organisers, performers, volunteers and local community for helping make the event such a resounding success, and looks forward to the festival continuing to go from strength to strength in future.