Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates 18-year-old farmer. Lewis Ralston, who is from Edgerston, Jedburgh, on being named Supreme Champion at the 2026 Border Union Show in Kelso; understands that Lewis won the top prize with Ballykeel Unique, a two-year-old heifer born in Northern Ireland; further understands that the pair were previously named Supreme Champion in the Salers breed section at the Royal Highland Show; recognises the hard work, dedication and skill required to achieve success at this level; welcomes Lewis’s hope that his achievement will encourage more young people to consider a career in farming; believes that the growing involvement of young farmers is hugely positive for the future of Scottish agriculture, and wishes Lewis every success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Stephen Mackenzie from Ullapool on winning the bronze medal in the men’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; recognises this as a remarkable achievement following a record-breaking season and his recent British Championship success; notes that his opening jump earned him a podium position in a competitive international field; acknowledges that he has become the first Highlander to win a medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games; commends his dedication, determination and sporting excellence in representing Scotland on the international stage; recognises the pride that his achievement has brought to Ullapool, Ross-shire and the wider Highlands; and wishes Stephen every success in his future athletics career.

That the Parliament congratulates the former farmer, Jackie Brown, who is a 99-year-old resident at Belmont Care Centre in Stranraer, on fulfilling his dream to show one of his Ayrshire cows at his local agricultural show, in Stranraer, one more time, where he was also presented with a special rosette “Supreme Champion, Oldest Handler”; praises the initiative of care worker, Yvonne Patterson, in making his wish come true; recognises the sterling efforts of the organisers of Stranraer Show, in particular show director, Charles Service, in ensuring that Jackie was able to achieve his ambition following a pioneering career in the world of agriculture in Galloway and across the south of Scotland, where he was the first farmer in the area to have an open farm and invite the general public to see the way farming was carried out many years ago; acknowledges that the event, which marked its 180th edition in 2026, celebrates farming, rural life and local food while featuring competitions where prize livestock is put on show and judged, and wishes both Jackie and the show organisers continued success on what is a marvellous example of the community coming together to help everyone achieve their goals.

That the Parliament congratulates Walking Scotland on its 30th anniversary; notes the charity’s significant contribution since its inception to developing and improving Scotland's path network and supporting and promoting walking for all through activities, grants and guidance; welcomes the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to walking and wheeling; notes that 86% of people in Scotland already walk or wheel regularly and that many want to do so more often; believes that investment in walking and wheeling delivers exceptional value, returning around £6 for every £1 spent and preventing thousands of serious health conditions; notes the view that walking is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, one of the best ways to tackle the climate-nature emergency, increase social interactions and connectedness in communities across Scotland, including in the East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs area, as well as generate economic benefits; notes the call for the Scottish Government to bring forward its proposed national walking framework as soon as practical and launch a path fund, and wishes Walking Scotland continued success over the coming years.

That the Parliament recognises the contribution of Olly Langton, who has concluded his tenure as headmaster of Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar; notes that Mr Langton and his wife, Rosie, joined the school in 2020 and have been valued members of the school community; acknowledges his commitment to the education and development of pupils during his time in post, and the support provided to families, staff and governors; commends Belhaven Hill School for its continued role in providing high-quality education in East Lothian; thanks Mr Langton for his service and dedication to the school; wishes him and his family every success for the future, and welcomes Neil Tomlin, formerly headmaster of Hall Grove School in Surrey, as the eighth headmaster of Belhaven Hill School, wishing him every success in his new role.

That the Parliament congratulates Bellshill Sharks Amateur Swimming Club (ASC) on the outstanding contribution made by its young swimmers who volunteered at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games; recognises the important role that they played in supporting the successful delivery of the swimming events at Tollcross International Swimming Centre; commends the professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication with which they represented both their club and the Bellshill community; acknowledges the valuable experience gained through working alongside elite athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers from across the world; believes that opportunities such as these inspire confidence, develop lifelong skills and encourage greater participation in sport and volunteering, and thanks everyone at Bellshill Sharks ASC and Scottish Swimming for making this opportunity possible.

That the Parliament welcomes the return of the Lossiemouth Raft Race, a community event dating back to 1976; notes that the race is returning after a seven-year absence, which it understands was due to the closure of the town’s old wooden bridge and the COVID-19 pandemic; acknowledges the considerable effort involved in reinstating the event; commends the recently reformed Elgin Round Table for its role in bringing the race back and helping to deliver what it considers to be a brilliant outcome for Moray; understands that 25 teams have already signed up to take part, and wishes all teams the very best of luck for the race on 15 August 2026.

That the Parliament notes the conclusion of the UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in March 2026; recognises that, while a replacement capital fund has been introduced for listed places of worship in England, no equivalent dedicated scheme has yet been established in Scotland; understands that any corresponding funding that is received through Barnett consequentials will not be ring-fenced to help listed places of worship in Scotland meet the financial impact of the 20% VAT rate on structural repairs; believes that this will place an increased burden on voluntary congregations and charities, including Dundee Law Parish Church and its historic Steeple building; welcomes the important community work delivered by church-based initiatives, such as local substance recovery programmes that provide essential support to vulnerable individuals; understands with concern that the absence of transitional financial relief risks reducing the capacity of these grassroots services, thereby increasing pressure on what it considers to be already overstretched local authority and NHS services, and urges the Scottish Government to set out how it will use available funding to establish an alternative support mechanism or transitional relief scheme to protect listed places of worship and the vital community services that they house.

That the Parliament notes that the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Code of Practice (CoP) relating to trans people accessing public spaces and services will come into force from 5 August 2026; believes that the implementation of the CoP will create a real risk of daily human rights violations for trans people across the UK and the potential for the UK to breach its international obligations; notes that the earlier informal guidance from the EHRC on how to implement the Supreme Court ruling of April 2025 is already having what it sees as significant impacts, with many organisations reportedly taking steps to exclude trans people from services that align with their gender identity, putting them at increased risk of harassment and violence, and effectively pushing them out of public life; further notes what it sees as the harm to cisgender people who present in gender non-conforming ways who, it believes, will also risk harassment and an invasion of privacy; is concerned that workplaces, businesses and other organisations will now face pressure to enforce what it considers to be unworkable guidance; commends the tireless work of equality organisations, trade unions, community organisations, trans-led and LGBTQIA+ groups and campaigners across Scotland and the UK and their continued work to protect trans people and to respond to this guidance; believes that the Scottish Government needs to provide a clear analysis of how public bodies with legal obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 can ensure that implementation of the CoP upholds the human rights of everyone, including trans people, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and safety of trans people and ensuring that Scotland remains a welcoming place for all LGBTQIA+ communities.

That the Parliament welcomes the appointment of Rachel Corsie to Aberdeen Football Club’s board of directors; understands that the former Scotland captain and Aberdonian will add elite sporting experience, strategic thinking and commercial expertise to the board whilst also supporting the continued development of Aberdeen Football Club’s women’s and girls’ programme; recognises what it sees as the positive impact of Rachel’s appointment to the board, particularly for girls going through the club’s academy, showing that, like Rachel, they can also have successful careers in football; congratulates Rachel on this latest achievement in her career, and wishes her every success going forward.