Chamber and committees

That the Parliament welcomes the latest findings from the Restoration Forth Project, which has involved the relocation of nearly 47,000 European flat oysters from Loch Ryan to the Firth of Forth since 2023; notes that the oysters are thriving, with an average survival rate of 88%; further notes that this marks the first verified presence of oysters in the Firth of Forth since 1957; recognises the vital role that oysters play in laying the groundwork for a healthier marine ecosystem and a brighter future for Scotland’s seas; commends the efforts of Heriot-Watt University, the Marine Conservation Society, volunteers and local communities in delivering this success, and believes that this work significantly contributes to Scotland’s ocean recovery and wider environmental commitments.

That the Parliament recognises Sulwath Brewery, also known as Scotland’s Original Southerly Brewery, based in Castle Douglas, as a well-established and highly regarded small business known for its range of quality handcrafted real ales both on draft and in bottles, and served in its popular tap house, with 30 years of crafting excellence; notes with concern that on the night of 29 July 2025, a serious fire broke out, damaged its premises and ceased production; commends the swift and determined response by the brewery, which launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to restart brewing operations while waiting for insurance processes, ensuring the continuity of the business; understands that the campaign raised £8,000 in the first three days and is currently just under £11,000, thanks to the generosity of supporters locally and beyond; thanks all those who donated and contributed to saving this valued local business that is built to last since 1995; acknowledges the importance of Sulwath Brewery to the local economy and tourism in Dumfries and Galloway, and wishes the Sulwath Brewery team continued success in the future.

That the Parliament recognises Gavin McCann, the site manager at the Queensferry Heights development by CALA Homes Scotland East, who recently won an NHBC Pride in the Job Regional Award in the Multi-storey Builder category; understands that Gavin has been selected from over 8,000 site managers across the UK and has undergone at least three stages of judging to get to this level; acknowledges that the winners of these awards have shown outstanding dedication and demonstrated their ability to go above and beyond to ensure that people enjoy new homes of the highest quality; notes that the Pride in the Job Awards are known as the "Oscars of the housebuilding industry" and are the only UK-wide competition dedicated to recognising site managers who achieve the highest standards in house building, and wishes Gavin all the best success in the Supreme Awards, which will be held in January 2026.

That the Parliament congratulates Orkney’s young rugby teams on a successful conclusion to the 2025 season; understands that the Orkney U18s have retained their title as overall winners of the inspiresport Boy's U18 Caledonia Youth League for the second year in a row; notes that the title was sealed after Orkney defeated Strathmore in a close, hard-fought and high-quality game on 29 November; understands that Stromness Academy's U16s boys were crowned the Caledonia North 6Series winners after a victory over Dingwall Academy on 2 December; believes that these results are just the latest reflection of the high standard of boys and girls rugby in Orkney; recognises that this success also reflects the quality of coaching and commitment of those who volunteer their time to support youth players and teams in Orkney; believes that both these teams have done themselves and Orkney proud, and looks forward to further success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the groups in the Falkirk East constituency that were awarded grant funding via the Asda Foundation; recognises that, as part of its commitment to making the communities surrounding its stores better places to live and work for colleagues and customers, Asda established the Asda Foundation to provide grants to good causes in Scotland; notes that grants are available to groups that are helping communities to address certain challenges, including the rising cost of living, and to improve the lives of children and young people; further notes that each project that the Asda Foundation supports is nominated directly by people in the communities it serves; celebrates that Bo'ness Storehouse Foodbank received £600, Grangemouth Community Care was awarded £600, Grangemouth Old People's Welfare was granted £600, Dennyloanhead Community Hall Ltd was awarded £1,600, and Larbert and Stenhousemuir Age Concern received £600; acknowledges that these grants were awarded with the support of local community champions from Asda Grangemouth and Asda Stenhousemuir; congratulates all recipients of Asda Foundation grants, and wishes them well as they deliver their respective projects.

That the Parliament celebrates the award of almost £3 million to support the heritage element of the Granton Waterfront project; notes that the sum is made up of £1,346,389 from Historic Environment Scotland and £1,248,868 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; understands that the heritage element of the project involves the restoration of Granton Castle Walled Garden, a full refurbishment and installation of a new community development space at Granton Lighthouse, upgrades to disused platforms and the introduction of a heritage arts installation at Granton Station, improvements and repairs to Madelvic House to allow for its use by arts and heritage organisations and the appointment of a dedicated community heritage officer at City of Edinburgh Council who will lead a programme of heritage activities; acknowledges that the Granton community has a played a central role in developing these initiatives in partnership with the council, through organisations like Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, granton:hub, Out of the Blue Arts & Education Trust and WASPS; recognises that these initiatives will ensure that future generations of Granton residents will have a strong sense of their community’s rich industrial past; congratulates all those involved in the project on the recent awards, and looks forward eagerly to the project’s scheduled completion in 2030.

That the Parliament congratulates the RC Diocese of Motherwell’s The People’s Pantry Foodbank in Coatbridge, St Augustine’s ALMA Club and the St James Monday Pensioners Club on receiving £600 each from the Asda Foundation; understands that these grants will support local initiatives that help families and older people during a period of rising living costs; welcomes the continued commitment of Asda Coatbridge and its community champions to supporting community-led projects, and recognises the valuable role that these groups play in strengthening wellbeing and resilience across Coatbridge and the wider area.

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Companies Act 2006 (Scottish public sector companies to be audited by the Auditor General for Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament congratulates Jane Duncan Rogers on winning the Pro-Ageing Substack Writer award at the 2025 Advantages of Age Awards in London; notes that the award for the Forres-based writer and ageing-well coach is in recognition of her advice blog and newsletter; recognises that Jane was up against five other finalists from across the UK and that judges felt that her work was high quality and that her storytelling was emotionally resonant; believes that this award recognises outstanding writing that challenges negative narratives around ageing, and wishes Jane, and her successful blog, well for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the pupils and teachers at Westruther Primary School, and Westruther Parent Council, on hosting a Heritage Celebration at Westruther Village Hall on 27 November 2025; recognises the hard work of pupils and staff in creating an event that celebrates the village’s history and heritage; welcomes the programme of activities, including a ceilidh, history talks presented by the children, Scottish snacks provided by the Old Thistle Inn, and heritage scrapbooks that were created by pupils; commends the development of three new village trails, for nature, fitness and heritage, which were designed and planned by the pupils, and considers that this event represents a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate local heritage.