Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the first cohort of Island Scholarship recipients as they begin their studies at Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Island Technology in Stromness; commends the programme, which was launched as part of the Scottish Government’s National Islands plan, is supported by Orkney Islands Council and aims to encourage students to move to Orkney and contribute to what it sees as the world-leading supply chain there; understands that 15 postgraduate students are supported by the programme to study on three specialist MSc courses in renewable energy and marine sciences; welcomes the engagement between local and national governments to deliver this programme and their shared commitment to developing local energy economies in Scotland's island communities, and wishes the cohort of students success in their studies.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01376 in the name of Liam Kerr (Consent for Jackdaw and Rosebank), leave out from "believes" to end, and insert "agrees that consent should not be granted for the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields; believes that the exploitation of these fields would neither deliver secure energy jobs for oil and gas workers nor cheaper energy for consumers, but would instead facilitate profiteering by corporate executives and shareholders; highlights polling published earlier in 2026 indicating that almost two thirds of people in Scotland oppose new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea whilst 90% care about climate change; urges both the UK and Scottish governments to support renewable energy, particularly community- or publicly-owned projects, as the only pathway to provide economic security for workers and energy security for the nation, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that the Just Transition Fund delivers genuine economic transformation and resilience for workers and communities."

That the Parliament commends the Environmental Research Institute of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) on its involvement in the FutureMoss project, which is exploring Sphagnum moss and peatland restoration; recognises the importance of the £2.7 million project led by the James Hutton Institute, which aims to develop new varieties of Sphagnum that are more resistant and resilient to drought in the hopes of supporting the health of peatlands; notes that the innovative research hopes to develop previously unestablished methods of producing new moss; understands that peat mosses are on the front line of extreme weather and that this project has the potential to support effective peatland function and restoration; commends the work of the Environmental Research Institute, which is based in Thurso and is part of UHI, advancing scientific understanding of contemporary environmental issues using their proximity to outstanding natural resources combined with state-of-the-art facilities, and believes that the James Hutton Institute is a world-leading interdisciplinary scientific research organisation delivering work that helps society respond to the climate and nature crises while strengthening rural communities and resilient economies.

That the Parliament congratulates Charlotte Garscadden on winning the Highland Third Sector Interface Volunteer of the Year Award for her work supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Caithness; recognises her work as co-founder and chair of Stepping Out, a community group that supports LGBTQ+ people in Caithness by creating a safe space and helping to build the confidence of its users through regular groups as well as themed events; acknowledges her contribution to the organisation of Caithness Pride in 2025 and 2026, celebrating diversity, love and community with a day of parades, stalls, workshops and entertainment; understands that these were the first Pride events to be held in the area and are mainland UK’s most northerly Pride events; wishes Charlotte success in all her future endeavours, and thanks her for volunteering her time so generously for this important work in Caithness.

That the Parliament congratulates Fèis Rois on reaching its 40th anniversary in 2026; acknowledges that the Ross-Shire arts organisation was established in 1986 and has grown to become a nationally-recognised leader in traditional music education, enabling people of all ages to participate in and experience traditional music and the Gaelic language and enriching the cultural life in Ross-Shire; notes that Fèis Rois works with over 5,000 young people and adults every year through its residential fèisean, a year-round programme of music-making opportunities in the formal and informal sectors, and performance opportunities; recognises the remarkable contribution that Fèis Rois has made to ensuring that people of all ages and abilities in Ross-Shire and beyond can participate in and experience traditional music and the Gaelic language, and to removing barriers to participation throughout its programme and through bespoke projects; commends the organisation for the concert celebrating its 40th anniversary, featuring a 40-piece house band of past and present tutors and participants, many of whom have gone on to lead successful careers as performing musicians, as well as special guests including the Kiltearn Fiddlers, Cluich Rois, the Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail, Duncan and Rona MacLeod, Fell Line, and The Maes, and wishes Fèis Rois continued success for many years to come.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01114 in the name of Stephen Gethins (Scotland’s Energy Opportunity), insert at end “recognises that energy policy is a largely reserved competence, but accepts that the Scottish Government should do what it can to provide leadership; believes that Scotland's energy future must and will include significant diversification of ownership of its energy system across private, public and community ownership, and further believes that a ScotWind Wealth Fund should be established during the current parliamentary term, and that consideration should be given to investing the remaining ScotWind leasing options into the new Wealth Fund, which should be tasked with driving community wealth, public and community ownership, and supply chain development.”

That the Parliament congratulates seven Shetland artists who work with Gaada, which is an artist-led creative workshop and project space, on being represented in the Design and Disability exhibition at V&A Dundee from 5 June to 4 October 2026; understands that works by Struan Haswell, Robbie Burns, Helen Tulloch, Michael Wiseman, Mari Johnson, Ethan Strachan and Sally Huband are featured; celebrates that the exhibition recognises disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people not as passive recipients of care or design but as creatives, cultural producers, designers and experts in everyday life, and believes that this represents a significant opportunity for the artists and for Gaada to continue providing inclusive opportunities and support for artists in Shetland.

That the Parliament congratulates Baltasound Junior High School in Unst on becoming what it understands to be the first school in Scotland to receive the Play Scotland Play Pedagogy Award; recognises that this is a significant achievement for the school and wider community, setting what it considers to be a powerful example of Shetland leading the way in children’s rights, wellbeing and education; understands that Play Scotland is the national organisation for play in Scotland, which works to ensure that play is valued, prioritised and part of everyday life for children across Scotland, and recognises the vital importance of play as part of children’s learning, wellbeing and development.