Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Highland Spring on its record sales numbers in 2025; acknowledges that the Blackford-based bottled water company is the UK’s largest and posted revenues of £163.4 million in 2025, a more than 10% increase on the year before; notes that, with a staff of over 500, the company is a major employer in Perthshire and has brought large-scale investment to the area, most recently with the £10 million expansion of its main bottling site in Blackford, and wishes it further success in the future.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01448 in the name of Stephen Gethins (Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe), leave out from “believes” to end and insert "notes that in a referendum in 2016 the people of the UK voted to leave the EU; believes that the result of referendums should be respected; notes that trade between Scotland and the rest of the UK is three times the level of trade between Scotland and the EU; believes that in exiting the UK and joining the EU, Scotland would create a hard border and potentially currency divergence with our largest trading partner, which would be deeply damaging to Scotland’s economic interests, and accordingly commits to a future within an unrestricted UK domestic market for goods and services.”

That the Parliament congratulates The Enchanted Forest Community Trust on winning the Best Community Tourism and Events Initiative at the Central and East of Scotland Scottish Thistle Awards 2026; understands that the Trust has contributed over £7.5 million to the local economy since its formation in 2010, supporting community projects and initiatives; recognises the popularity of The Enchanted Forest with local communities in Perthshire and visitors from the rest of the UK and beyond; acknowledges the positive impact that the event has on the visitor economy in Perthshire, and wishes the Trust the best for yet another successful event in 2026.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01304 in the name of Màiri McAllan (Growing Scotland’s Creative Economy), leave out from second “welcomes" to end and insert "believes that public support for culture and the arts should uphold freedom of expression and speech, and that decisions on public funding should be made at arm’s length from government and be free from political interference"; recognises the contribution that Gaelic and Scots language and culture make to enriching Scotland’s society and economy, and supports collaboration across all of society to realise the full economic, cultural and social potential of Scotland's creative industries.”

That the Parliament congratulates Saltire Rare Malt on receiving six nominations at the 2026 Scottish Whisky Awards; understands that the Falkland-based company was crowned Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 awards; recognises its success in producing a range of exclusive single malt Scotch whiskies; welcomes its celebration of Falkland's historic association with whisky, including the earliest recorded reference to Scotch whisky in 1494, when King James IV is reported to have requested it while residing at Falkland Palace, and wishes the company continued success in the future and the very best of luck at the Scottish Whisky Awards.

That the Parliament congratulates Perth Airport on its 90th anniversary; appreciates that the airfield has been in continued use for nine decades and, in that time, has seen thousands of personnel, from pilots to engineers, play a part in its story; understands that today the airport is home to numerous businesses and organisations, including the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance, and wishes the airport many more years of success.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Seen and Known: Rebuilding Belonging in Modern Scotland by Logos Scotland, which examines the causes and consequences of loneliness and social disconnection and considers how a stronger sense of belonging can be fostered across Scotland, including in the Mid Scotland and Fife region; notes with concern the report’s findings regarding levels of loneliness among younger people and what it considers to be the growing challenge of people feeling disconnected from family, community and wider society; recognises what it sees as the important contribution made by churches, faith communities, charities, voluntary organisations and other local institutions in creating places where people can build meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging; notes the view that tackling loneliness requires consideration not only of individual wellbeing but also of the strength of the families, communities and institutions that connect people to one another; welcomes the contribution that Logos Scotland makes to public policy debate by bringing a Christian perspective to contemporary social and political challenges; notes the belief that policy at both national and local level should recognise and support the institutions and relationships that help build strong and connected communities, and welcomes further discussion about how Scotland can become a country in which more people feel seen, known and that they belong.

That the Parliament congratulates Alyth Parish Church on another successful year of its ‘Kirk Shop’, raising over £13,000; acknowledges that this is a staple event in the Alyth community calendar selling items donated from across the local area; commends the volunteers who bring together this event; understands that volunteers make such a valuable contribution across the country and should always be celebrated, and wishes the Kirk Shop many more successful years.

That the Parliament congratulates The Enchanted Forest in Perthshire on the record-breaking community funding awarded through its Community Fund Programme; celebrates that £134,044 has been given to 36 community groups to help them continue what it sees as their exceptional work, retaining Highland Perthshire’s reputation as a leading place to live and visit in Scotland; understands that The Enchanted Forest has become a staple event in Pitlochry, contributing strongly to the visitor economy, and wishes it all the best for 2026 and the future.

As an amendment to motion S7M-00446 in the name of Malcolm Offord (Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “agrees that strong economic growth is essential to raising living standards, creating jobs and funding high-quality public services; notes with concern that, after nearly two decades of a Scottish National Party administration, Scotland continues to suffer from weak growth, low business confidence and poor productivity; further notes that Scotland has become the highest-taxed part of the UK, leaving workers paying more and making Scotland less competitive for investment, jobs and enterprise; recognises that Scotland’s economic prospects are strengthened by its place in the UK, which remains Scotland’s largest market and provides the stability, scale and security that businesses need to invest; believes that the Scottish Government should use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to grow the economy, lower the tax burden and support business, rather than pursue constitutional division, and calls on the Scottish Government to focus on making Scotland more competitive, more productive and more attractive as a place to work, invest and do business.”