Chamber and committees

As an amendment to motion S6M-19687 in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton (Commemorating Scotland’s Lost Souls and the Unmarked Graves Outside Former Psychiatric Institutions), insert at end "; acknowledges and commends the work of the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery in Hartwood, Shotts, which has restored, claimed and identified 1,255 former patients and staff; welcomes the work of local groups, volunteers and organisations, such as Historic Environment Scotland and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, in protecting these sites, and congratulates the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, whose story was highlighted by BBC Scotland, Clyde1, Forth1 and other local radio stations, leading to the uncovering of the facts of this history through the 'Lost Souls' investigation."

That the Parliament congratulates the Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA) on its 65th anniversary this year; believes that Bangladeshi catering has made an enduring contribution to the economic and multicultural strength of the UK; understands that the BCA supports thousands of restaurants, chefs and hospitality professionals nationwide, promoting culinary excellence, business growth and community leadership; believes that members of the BCA contribute over £4 billion to the UK economy each year; welcomes the BCA’s renewed commitment to supporting, training, and advocating for restaurateurs and chefs in a changing industry; applauds the nominees and winners at the 18th annual BCA Awards, which were held on 8 November 2025 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London, and wishes the BCA and its members continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Bùth Bharraigh, which is a community shop based in Castlebay, upon winning the Community Wealth Building Award at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards 2025; understands that the award goes to an organisation that has made a significant impact in its local community through the application of inclusive and democratic business models; notes that the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards, which are now in their 15th year, saw a record number of applications, underlining the continued importance of social enterprises in local communities, and wishes Bùth Bharraigh more success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Roan Anderson, a talented drummer from Inverclyde, on being named the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year for 2025; notes that Roan impressed judges with his original composition, Dimming Light, and his performance of Emotionally Unintelligent in the final; acknowledges his journey from initially disliking jazz to embracing and excelling in the genre, culminating in his studies at the Junior Conservatoire and his dedication to mastering jazz drumming; commends the support of local musicians and educators, including Lesley McLaren, and the encouragement from his family; recognises Roan’s commitment to his craft, practising up to six hours a day and performing with a range of musicians across Scotland, and wishes him continued success as he prepares for upcoming tours and future musical achievements.

That the Parliament congratulates the Orkney squash team on being named Scotland’s Team of the Year at Scottish Squash’s annual awards; believes that this award is a well-deserved recognition of the team’s outstanding performance at the Orkney 2025 International Island Games, which were held in July; acknowledges that the team won an exceptional five medals, including a gold medal for Finlay Scott in the men’s singles competition and bronze in the overall team competition; understands that Matthew Wylie, Dylan Scott, Finlay Scott, Ian Stout, Amy Walker and Jane Thomson attended the ceremony in Glasgow on 2 November to pick up the award; thanks the team for representing Orkney so well, both on and off the court, and wishes them continued success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Orkney Gymnastics Club on winning the Special Recognition Award at the 2025 Scottish Gymnastics Awards, which took place in Glasgow on 8 November; understands that this award was in recognition of the club’s participation in and delivery of the highly successful 2025 Orkney International Island Games; notes that this was the first time that gymnasts from Orkney had competed at the Island Games, following the club’s founding in 2017; acknowledges the work that coaches, organisers and volunteers have done to build the club in such a short space of time; recognises the growing popularity of the sport in Orkney and the high demand for membership of the club; thanks the club, and particularly the young gymnasts, for representing Orkney so well, and wishes everyone connected with Orkney Gymnastics Club continued success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the 100 runners who took part in the seventh annual Taynish Run at Tayvallich; understands that the runners were aged between 16 and 72 and were able to chose from three different routes, a 5K, a 10K or a cross country trail run; notes that this year’s event raised over £3,300 for the local Macmillan Cancer support group, and believes that such charitable events bring the local community together while raising funds for an important cause.

That the Parliament congratulates UHI North, West and Hebrides for being recognised by the CND College Awards 2025 and being named a finalist in four categories, including the Marketing and Communications Award for its Student Voices of the Highlands and Islands, which pays a living wage to students creating content on rural and island student life; wishes every finalist at the awards success, and acknowledges UHI North, West and Hebrides as advocates for rural and island students.

That the Parliament congratulates the team at Meadowlark Care Home in Forres, Moray, who were recognised for their outstanding commitment to residents at the Great British Care Scotland Awards, which were held in Glasgow on 10 November 2025; notes that the team at Renaissance Care’s Meadowlark Care Home were described as “fabulous” and were praised by judges for their steadfast dedication; understands that the judges deemed the team works in harmony across every department to ensure each of the 57 residents are treated with dignity, respect and warmth; commends the fact that exceptional communication empowers every member to deliver outstanding support, even in challenging circumstances; notes that the Meadowlark team is now shortlisted for the Great British Care Awards National Final 2026, to be held in Birmingham, and wishes them every success for these awards.

That the Parliament congratulates the Russell Anderson Foundation on being awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK; notes that the foundation, which was founded by the former Aberdeen captain and Scotland international, Russell Anderson, started in 2012, delivering free football sessions to children in socially-deprived areas of Aberdeen; understands that the foundation’s work has since expanded, working with pupils in partner schools on a regular basis to deliver practical cooking lessons, food support, mentoring, leadership development, workplace visits and employability opportunities, to deliver on the foundation’s aim of empowering children to make good decisions and reach their full potential; believes that this award is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those helping to deliver the foundation’s goals; hopes that all those involved in the foundation are rightly proud of this accolade, and wishes them well in helping children in Aberdeen to get a better start in life for many years to come.