Chamber and committees

That the Parliament agrees that the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill be passed.

That the Parliament congratulates Yarrow Cookery School, based in East Lothian, on being shortlisted in the Cookery School of the Year category at the internationally recognised 2025 Condé Nast Food and Travel Awards; notes that this achievement highlights the school’s commitment to culinary excellence, sustainability and promoting Scotland’s rich food heritage; acknowledges the role of Yarrow Cookery School in supporting local producers and offering educational experiences that inspire both adults and children; recognises the positive impact that the school has on tourism in East Lothian, attracting visitors from across Scotland and beyond, thereby contributing to the local economy; commends the school’s efforts to minimise its carbon footprint through the use of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and environmentally responsible practices, including operating entirely fossil fuel-free, and wishes the team every success at the awards ceremony and in their continued efforts to showcase East Lothian as a destination for world-class food and hospitality.

That the Parliament congratulates the NHS Forth Valley Oncology team on winning the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award; understands that myeloma is considered to be a challenging cancer due to symptoms sometimes not being present at first and being mistaken for other ailments; believes that around half of the people with myeloma have to wait more than five months before they get the right diagnosis and that myeloma has no cure; understands that myeloma presents mental and physical challenges and requires complex care; commends the NHS Forth Valley Oncology team for the care and dedication it has demonstrated to its patients; notes that the team has been commended for providing the highest standard of personal care with support tailored to the specific needs of each patient; further notes that judges praised the team for going the extra mile every day by working closely with other hospital departments and signposting patients to additional services for support and advice, and congratulates the team for its excellent achievement.

That the Parliament congratulates the many Glasgow hair studios on their outstanding success at the 14th Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards 2025; notes that the awards, held at Glasgow’s DoubleTree by Hilton on 7 December 2025, brought together the country’s top hair and beauty professionals to celebrate talent, creativity, innovation and outstanding service; understands that the awards provide an important platform for recognising businesses that contribute to Scotland’s economy, support local employment and enhance the cultural and creative life of communities; acknowledges the exceptional achievements of such Glasgow hair studios in being celebrated for their professionalism, innovation and commitment to excellence; recognises the significant role that Glasgow’s vibrant hair and beauty sector plays in promoting skills development, entrepreneurship and business growth across the city and beyond, and further recognises that the success of these studios highlights Glasgow as a centre of excellence in the hair and beauty industry, which is inspiring future generations of professionals and supporting Scotland’s reputation for high-quality creative industries.

That the Parliament congratulates FEL on winning in the Cycle Advocacy category at the BikeBiz Awards in Birmingham; notes that the BikeBiz awards have recognised talent across the UK for over 15 years; understands that nominees were judged on positive industry impact, originality, creativity and distinctiveness of their approach to cycling advocacy and specific and significant outcomes, successes or milestones achieved; understands that judges described the breadth of FEL's work as "staggering and impressive"; commends FEL on its achievements, including the Bike Buddies scheme, which gifted 350 brand new bikes, locks, lights and helmets to P7 children in Clackmannanshire and Falkirk; understands that this scheme will be growing next year; notes its other fantastic initiatives, including Active Schools Hubs in nine schools, which run led-rides and maintenance workshops; understands that schools with a cycling hub have cycling rates nine times the national average; notes that FEL owns Scotland’s largest e-bike library and offers visitors and locals free or low cost loans; recognises what it sees as the huge impact that its work is having; congratulates FEL on being a worthy winner of this award, and wishes it the best for the future.

That the Parliament marks the 20th anniversary of Blair Drummond Hall; understands that a community hall had sat in this location since the 1960s, but a new hall was built on the site in 2005; notes that the event was marked by a family ceilidh; understands that the hall is used by a wide range of community organisations, sports and social clubs; congratulates all involved in running the hall on their successes over the last two decades, and thanks them for their dedication and excellent work in maintaining such an important hub for the community.

That the Parliament congratulates Transition Stirling on being highly commended at the Courier Business Awards 2025; notes that the awards celebrate the ambition, resilience and innovation of companies and organisations of all sizes across Tayside, Fife and Stirling; understands that Transition Stirling was highly commended in the Transition to Net Zero category; further understands that this category recognises businesses that demonstrate a clear net zero strategy, investment in upskilling and benefiting the environment; notes that Transition Stirling has done a huge amount to build a greener future including teaching people to repair and reuse, learn DIY skills and save items from landfill; celebrates these excellent achievements and congratulates Transition Stirling on this well-deserved recognition, and congratulates the team and community involved with Transition Stirling.

That the Parliament congratulates David Francis on being inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame as the 2025 recipient of the Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award; recognises that this honour reflects his decades of tireless dedication to strengthening and sustaining Scotland’s traditional music through organisational leadership, performance and advocacy; acknowledges that he has worked quietly but profoundly behind the scenes to support the infrastructure that allows traditional music to flourish, including through his involvement in the creation and development of vital platforms such as the Traditional Music Forum, TRACS, Distil, The World’s Room and Hands Up for Trad; notes that his work has consistently championed the democratic, community-based spirit of traditional music by valuing grassroots participation alongside professional performance and by fostering environments in which artists and enthusiasts alike can engage with and celebrate Scotland’s living musical heritage; appreciates that, like Hamish Henderson, David has devoted his career to ensuring that traditional music remains accessible, vibrant and connected to the communities from which it grows, and celebrates his outstanding contribution to Scotland’s cultural life, extending its warmest congratulations on this richly deserved recognition.

That the Parliament congratulates the East Lothian community groups recognised at Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual seminar and awards event; notes that five local groups, Glorious Gullane Bloomers, The Ridge, Growing Matters, Aberlady in Bloom, and Our Community Kitchen, received accolades, with Glorious Gullane Bloomers, The Ridge and Growing Matters each achieving Outstanding recognition; understands that The Ridge was additionally awarded a certificate of distinction for consistent improvement; notes that Aberlady in Bloom and Our Community Kitchen received Advancing certificates; praises Keep Scotland Beautiful for highlighting the transformative impact of nature and community growing and for supporting volunteer groups with mentoring, guidance and resources, and expresses its thanks to all volunteers and partners in East Lothian for their tireless efforts to create cleaner, greener and more sustainable communities.

That the Parliament congratulates the Stirling Observer on a successful Give a Gift Appeal; understands that the appeal seeks donations of toys and gifts from their readers, which are distributed to local charities and organisations to then be given to children that they work with; notes that 2025 marks the 17th year of the appeal; commends Kaiya Marjoribanks, the appeal coordinator, for her efforts, both this year and throughout the many years of the gift appeal; notes the joy that these gifts always bring, and thanks the people of Stirling for their generosity.