Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Sofia Young and Paige Marchbank on their outstanding contribution to Thornhill Young Farmers Club and the wider Mid and Upper Nithsdale community; understands that their determination and leadership have transformed the fortunes of the club and secured its future for years to come; recognises the opportunities that the Young Farmers movement provides for young people living in rural areas to develop confidence, skills and lifelong friendships; commends Sofia and Paige for their commitment to supporting younger members, promoting Scottish agriculture and organising charitable and community activities; acknowledges the positive example that they have set through their hard work and positive spirit, and wishes them every success as they continue their involvement in the Young Farmers movement.

That the Parliament notes with sadness the closure of The Crown Inn in Biggar, a historic public house dating back to 1650, which closed its doors in October after serving the local community for generations; recognises the contribution made by its owners and all their staff over the years; notes that The Crown Inn was named CAMRA Lanarkshire Pub of the Year in 2016 and was widely regarded as an important landmark in the town; believes that traditional country pubs play a vital role in fostering community spirit and identity; expresses concern at the growing number of pub closures across Scotland amid rising operating costs, taxation and what it sees as excessive regulations and bureaucracy; believes that Scotland's pubs form an integral part of Scotland's cultural heritage; notes reported concerns that policy making in recent years has too often treated pubs primarily as a public health problem rather than recognising them as vital community institutions; believes that social drinking is a normal and valued part of British life, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to champion rather than penalise Scotland's traditional pubs and the communities they serve.

That the Parliament welcomes the inclusion of Dumfries and Galloway in National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 list; notes that it is the only destination in the UK to be selected as one of the publication's 25 featured destinations for the year ahead; recognises the region's outstanding natural beauty, rich history, world class outdoor attractions and internationally recognised dark skies; acknowledges the contribution of local tourism businesses and community organisations in promoting the region to visitors from across the world; believes that this recognition reflects the growing appeal of Dumfries and Galloway as a destination for tourism, and congratulates all those whose efforts have helped secure this prestigious international accolade.

That the Parliament recognises the celebration marking 700 years of Christian worship on the site of St Mary's in Dumfries; notes that the anniversary commemorates the consecration in 1326 of a chapel established by King Robert the Bruce in memory of his brother-in-law, Sir Christopher Seaton; acknowledges the site's important place in the history and heritage of Dumfries and Galloway; commends the efforts of River of Life Church and the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust in preserving and promoting this heritage for future generations; acknowledges the importance of preserving and celebrating Scotland's historic and Christian heritage, and wishes all those involved every success with the celebrations.

That the Parliament congratulates Racing to School on celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, as well as the milestone of reaching 250,000 young people since the programme began; understands that the charity will benefit 462 young people in Scotland through 15 activity days in 2026; commends its work in helping young people build both confidence and practical skills through curriculum-led and outdoor learning activities at racecourses; recognises its efforts to engage young people from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds and ensure that they are able to access opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable to them; welcomes what it considers to be its important role in introducing young people to Scotland's racing industry and equine sector; recognises the support provided by its volunteers, and wishes Racing to School every success as it continues to inspire future generations.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01460 in the name of Jim Fairlie (Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry), insert at end “and calls on the Scottish Government to provide clarity around its plans for Marine Protected Areas and broader management of marine areas, and encourages the Scottish Government to look at the Norwegian Marine Resources Act as a model for recognising in law the socio-economic value of the fishing industry.”

That the Parliament congratulates the organisers of the Borders Book Festival on delivering its largest ever Schools Day held at Galashiels Academy in September 2026; recognises the amazing achievement of bringing together 3,050 pupils and teachers from across the Borders for a wonderful day of storytelling; applauds the teachers and volunteers whose time and dedication made the event possible; welcomes the positive provision of a free book to every attending pupil, and believes that events such as these play a vital role in encouraging literacy, creativity and most importantly, a lifelong love for reading among the next generation.

That the Parliament recognises that Selkirk hosted the first major chess tournament in the Borders in almost 20 years in September 2026; recognises that the event was organised by Selkirk Chess Club in partnership with the Scottish Chess Tour, Chess Scotland and the County Hotel; applauds the participation of players ranging in age from six years old to 80 years old; welcomes the vibrant community spirit fostered by the event; understands that Selkirk chess club meets every Tuesday at 7pm, welcoming players of all abilities; celebrates the exciting resurgence of chess in the local community, and wishes Selkirk Chess Club every success for the future.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01283 in the name of Gillian Martin (Building a Flood Resilient Scotland: Delivering Action for Communities in a Changing Climate), leave out from "as” to end and insert "and that its contribution to global emissions is negligible; believes that this Parliament cannot control global weather patterns and that flooding risks will persist regardless of future emissions reductions; further believes that government policy must therefore place a greater emphasis on Scotland’s ability to adapt, prepare for and recover from flooding and on protecting homes, businesses and infrastructure from its effects."

That the Parliament stands with the people of Ceuta following the unprecedented mass illegal migration from Morocco; notes with grave concern that tens of thousands crossed the border in a matter of days, placing extraordinary pressure on a community with a population of around 85,000 and overwhelming local infrastructure and public services; believes that the people of Ceuta have the fundamental right to safety and security, to protect their borders and to the rule of law; further believes that no community should be expected to accommodate uncontrolled mass migration or have its public services placed under intolerable pressure as a consequence of failures of their government to secure national borders; condemns people smugglers and those who profit from facilitating illegal migration; believes that entering another country illegally should categorically not provide a route to permanent settlement and that the immediate return of those with no legal right to remain is essential to maintaining public confidence in the social contract between citizens and the state; supports the right of sovereign nations to take robust measures to defend their borders, and calls on the UK Government to learn the lessons of Ceuta by securing the UK's borders, deterring illegal crossings and dismantling people smuggling gangs.