Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Inchmarlo House Care Home and Retirement Village, near Banchory, on its 40th anniversary; notes that more than 100 homeowners gathered to mark the occasion at a garden party attended by the Provost of Aberdeenshire, Judy Whyte; recognises what it sees as Inchmarlo’s pioneering role in later-life living and its status as Scotland’s first continuing care retirement community; commends the vision of its founder, Professor Charles Skene CBE, and the continuing leadership of his daughter, Pamela Norris; notes that, since its establishment in 1986, Inchmarlo has grown to provide more than 180 homes for people aged over 55 within the 100-acre Inchmarlo Estate; acknowledges the dedication, professionalism and care shown by staff, past and present, whose efforts have contributed greatly to the community’s success over four decades, and thanks all those involved in supporting residents and the retirement community.

That the Parliament recognises the success of the Crathes Charity Horse & Dog Show, which has been held annually at the Milton of Crathes Events Field near Banchory since its establishment in 2021; commends its role in encouraging participation in equestrian and dog showing activities following the COVID-19 lockdowns; notes that the show hosts over 70 showing classes for horses, ponies and dogs and continues to attract competitors from across Scotland, from the Scottish Borders to Shetland; applauds the organisers’ commitment to charitable fundraising, having raised £4,000 in 2026 for the Equine Grass Sickness Fund, bringing the total raised since 2021 to £26,000; recognises what it sees as the vital work of the Equine Grass Sickness Fund in seeking a cure for this devastating disease affecting equines; notes the show’s receipt of the Silver Salver Award for commitment to fundraising; congratulates Robin and Karen Stewart on receiving the Heidi Award in April 2026 in recognition of their longstanding support for the charity, and thanks the main organisers, Robin and Karen Stewart and Susanne Shepherd, for their dedication to supporting both the equestrian community and important veterinary research.

That the Parliament congratulates the following constituents of Aberdeenshire West on being recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2026, Chris Bird of Banchory, chair of Riskwell, which was co-founded in 2020, who has been appointed an MBE for services to the energy transition and to community development in North East Scotland, Dr Jack Taylor of Aboyne, who has been appointed an MBE for services to music, notably as a piper and for his leadership within the Piobaireachd Society, Lilian Field, headteacher of Strathdon School and Crathie School, who has been appointed a BEM for her services to rural education and her leadership supporting young people in rural communities, with both schools having less than 20 children, and John Burrows, who has been appointed a BEM for his services to the Ballater community, where he is director of Ballater Community Trust and has helped with various village initiatives, including supporting the community in the aftermath of Storm Frank over a decade ago; notes what it sees as the significant contribution each constituent has made to their respective fields and communities across Aberdeenshire West, and wishes them every success for the future while thanking them for their dedicated service.

That the Parliament notes the success of a recent charity stock judging event, which was held on 13 June 2026, near Banchory; recognises that the event brought together farmers, young people and members of the wider community at Darnford Farm; understands that the event featured cattle and sheep judging competitions across open, young farmer and junior sections, alongside a social programme aimed at strengthening connections across the agricultural sector; further understands that the event was organised by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society and sponsored by Virgin Money to raise funds for agricultural charity, RSABI; commends the organisers, sponsors and volunteers for delivering a well-supported event that highlighted the importance of agriculture to the north east economy and provided opportunities for skills development among the next generation of farmers, with around 500 people in attendance; recognises the role that such events play in supporting rural charities and promoting wellbeing within the farming community, and wishes all involved continued success in future events that celebrate rural life in Aberdeenshire West.

That the Parliament congratulates those involved in the Wear it Pink Ladies’ Texas Scramble fundraiser at Inchmarlo Golf Centre on 10 May 2026 for raising over £2,050; understands that this annual event raises money for Breast Cancer Now, dedicated to breast cancer awareness, research and support services; recognises that 64 ladies from golf clubs across the north east took part in the event, with the winning team being from Banchory Golf Club; thanks Inchmarlo Golf Club for hosting and organising the fundraiser, as well as all the volunteers and local businesses who supported the event, and wishes them every success for future fundraisers.

That the Parliament congratulates the Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust on its 25th anniversary, which will be marked in September 2026; recognises the trust’s significant contribution to the conservation, protection and restoration of the River Deveron over the last quarter of a century; acknowledges the importance of its work in preserving and enhancing the natural environment, supporting native flora and fauna and contributing to local communities, the rural economy and the area’s natural heritage; highlights the vital role that the trust plays in the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon, an endangered species that are a key indicator of the health of river ecosystems, through Project Deveron, a 10-year project launched in 2023 in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Trust; notes, in particular, the trust’s role in establishing Scotland’s first catchment-scale sonar camera system, funded by the Scottish Government, to count returning salmon and the recent completion of its major dam removal project, which restored access to approximately 11 kilometres of river habitat and was supported by Chivas Brothers, through its The River Within partnership, and the Stichting European Open Rivers Programme, and wishes the trust continued success in its efforts for future generations.

That the Parliament congratulates Steve Muir from Drumoak, Aberdeenshire on completing a 140km sponsored cycle from Tealing to Kintore on 16 May 2026 to fundraise for the community campaign opposing SSEN’s proposed Tealing to Kintore 400kV OHL route; understands that Steve’s journey began at the Tealing Substation in Angus, where he cycled along the route of the proposed power line through the north east to the Kintore Substation in Aberdeenshire, along with an additional 34km; further understands that Steve was joined by Sharon Pace from Brechin for 115km; notes that Steve’s “Cycle-the-Line” raised £785 for NOTKUP, which is challenging SSEN at the TKUP public inquiry in support of the farmers and communities that hope to have a say about the energy infrastructure project, and wishes Steve and everyone involved every success in their ongoing efforts.

That the Parliament congratulates the Jessiman Dance School on its 75th anniversary; understands that the school has been a pillar of the local community in Huntly and the wider North East of Scotland for three-quarters of a century, providing high-quality dance tuition and fostering a love for the performing arts across multiple generations; notes that the school was founded by Elizabeth (Betty) Jessiman, a trailblazing World Highland Dancing Champion; recognises the exceptional service of the school’s Principal, Patricia-Ann Raeburn, who is retiring from the school after 45 years of dedicated teaching, passion, and leadership, which, it believes, have been instrumental to the school’s longevity and success; acknowledges the positive impact that the school has had on the physical and mental wellbeing of young people, providing them with the opportunity to perform locally, across Scotland, and on London West End stages; celebrates that several pupils have gone on to pursue successful professional careers in the performing arts; wishes Bethany Skinner, Rebecca Beverly, Rebecca Muiry, and Louisa Milne all the best as they take the school forward as the Jessiman Highland Team, ensuring that local children continue to have the opportunity to learn highland dancing; thanks all the families associated with the school, past and present, for their contribution to the vibrant cultural heritage of the area, and wishes Patricia-Ann a happy retirement and everyone at the school continued success for many years to come.

As an amendment to motion S6M-21035 in the name of Graeme Dey (Business Programme), after second "followed by Topical Questions" insert "followed by Ministerial Statement: Update on Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre".

That the Parliament congratulates Laura Murray, from Deeside, who rode over 115 miles in 24 hours by bike in the Strathpuffer Bike Race to honour her late friend, Jennifer Craig, who died from cancer; acknowledges the incredible effort made to raise money for Friends of ANCHOR, a charity service that supported Jennifer; recognises that Laura has, so far, successfully raised £9,000; considers that this an astonishing amount of money for an equally astonishing feat; celebrates her achievement of being placed second in the Female Veteran Category, fourth in the Solo Female Open Category, and 18th overall out of 159 riders; appreciates the incredible work done by Friends of ANCHOR, and wishes it continued success in its future fundraising efforts and in its work supporting patients such as Jennifer.