Chamber and committees

That the Parliament welcomes the inaugural Hebridean Refugee Week, which will be held from 12 to 20 June 2026; notes that this will be part of Refugee Festival Scotland, which was established in 2000; understands that Na h-Eileanan an Iar has warmly welcomed 21 families to island communities since July 2016; believes that these families have established businesses, friendships and events that have provided strong benefits for communities and strong roots for resettled families fleeing conflict; understands that the events in the Outer Hebrides will offer opportunities for people who are refugees in the community to share their stories, food, culture and film alongside open discussions, and offers its support and best wishes for the local and national festivals and all who choose to make Scotland and its islands their home.

That the Parliament acknowledges and congratulates Held In Our Hearts on the impact of its innovative Hospital to Home (H2H) service; understands that, since 2023, H2H has provided proactive, opt-out bereavement support to families following the loss of a pregnancy, baby or infant, which has helped to bridge the gap between hospital and home; further understands that the service has supported over 210 referrals and delivered more than 624 support sessions, with 90% of referrals coming directly from NHS services; recognises the positive impact of early intervention and specialist bereavement support on families' wellbeing and recovery; notes the ambition to make H2H available across every NHS Board in Scotland, and supports efforts to ensure that all bereaved families can access timely, compassionate and equitable support, regardless of where they live.

That the Parliament congratulates Buchan Peterson Pipe Band on its fantastic achievement at the British Pipe Band Championship 2026; understands that the band was named winners of the grade 2 category at this year’s national event; notes the successes across the north east with TEXO Deeside Caledonian, Bucksburn and District and Grampian Police Scotland placed third, fourth and fifth respectively in the same category; commends the diligence and dedication of the pipe band members, tutors and volunteers, and wishes the group good luck in its future competitions and performances.

That the Parliament congratulates The Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells on being featured in The Times list of 10 of the Best Independent Bookshops in Scotland for 2026; understands that the business has become a celebrated destination for book lovers from across Scotland and beyond; notes that it was founded in 2008 by Rosamund and Bill de la Hey in a former auction house in the heart of St Boswells; recognises its unique combination of independent bookshop, café and deli, which contributes significantly to the economy and visitor experience in the Scottish Borders; acknowledges its particularly strong reputation for children's books and its commitment to encouraging reading among young people; recognises what it sees as the important role that independent bookshops play in supporting authors, fostering a love of literature and serving as cultural hubs in their communities, and wishes everyone associated with The Mainstreet Trading Company continued success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the winners of the 2026 Ayr Golf Festival, which took place from 3 to 7 June 2026 at Belleisle and Seafield Golf Courses; recognises Jamie Hay, Jason Dolman, Richard Johnstone, Colin Goudie, Stuart Thompson, Kevin Sharratt, David Allan, Mandy Allan, Sheena Moore, Janette Cunningham, Elaine Steele, Morag Clifford, Susan Gilchrist, Ryan McLatchie, John Young, Jim Bone, Dougie Lawrie, Thomas Watson, Lyle Beagrie and Alyssa Gillies for winning their respective trophies, cups and opens, and wishes all the competitors well for rest of the golfing season.

That the Parliament congratulates Suzy Rook who has completed a North Pole challenge to celebrate her cancer recovery; recognises that Suzy travelled to Svalbard in Norway and completed a 25-minute 1km swim and is the first Scottish female believed to have done so, and acknowledges that, in doing so, she raised over £10,000 for Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust and Back Onside, which is a charity supporting mental health.

That the Parliament commends the pioneering work of University of Aberdeen graduate, Dr Jani Shibuya, in the field of hydrogen and renewable energy production; celebrates the launch of Dr Shibuya’s new University of Aberdeen spin-out business, Hychor; highlights the impact of the university’s Research and Innovation team, which provides specialist advice dedicated to supporting innovative ideas from within the university; welcomes Hychor’s contribution to the growing renewable energy sector in Aberdeenshire and the north east, and congratulates both Dr Shibuya and the University of Aberdeen for their contribution to the global energy transition.

That the Parliament commends the publication of the Children's Parliament's Child Human Rights Defenders' Investigate Vaping report; notes that the report supports ASH Scotland's World No Tobacco Day campaign; understands that the group gathered evidence from 100 children, aged nine to 12, in Dundee, Alloa and Glenrothes; understands that participants expressed concern that children may be more likely to try vaping due to the use of bright and colourful packaging, attractive flavours as well as advertising and promotions; recognises that participants also felt that there is a lack of understanding about the dangers of vapes; welcomes the group's suggestions for plainer packaging and flavours as well as its call for vapes to be hidden from immediate view in shops and measures to prevent them from being sold near schools and where children play, and recognises the report's calls for better education so that children learn about the risks of vaping from a young age.

That the Parliament congratulates Craig Ferguson, from Paisley, for completing The Tartan Trek, which was a 3,200 mile walk across the United States, from Los Angeles to Boston, in aid of Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH); recognises that Craig has arrived in Boston in time to see the Scotland team play their first match in the World Cup; acknowledges that he has walked the equivalent of 120 marathons in 104 days, while wearing a kilt, and understands that First Minister, John Swinney, has pledged £400,000 from the Scottish Government to help Craig meet his goal of raising £1 million.

That the Parliament congratulates the boxer, Alan Perrie, on being named as part of Team Scotland for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which begin on 23 July 2026; understands that Alan is originally from Fallin in Stirlingshire and is a member of Doghouse Boxing Club in neighbouring Stirling; notes that he went from a bronze medal at the EUBC European Under-23 event in 2024 to being a British and Scottish champion, reaching the quarter-finals at the 2025 World Championships in Liverpool; commends Alan for his determination and commitment to training and the sport, and extends its very best wishes to him, his coaches and everyone at the club and Team Scotland.