MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency)
Email: [email protected]
Website: liammcarthur.org.uk
Facebook: Liam McArthur's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 01856 876541
Text relay calls welcome.
14 Palace Road
Kirkwall
Orkney Islands
KW15 1PA
Phone: 01856 876541
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency)
05 May 2011 to present
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency)
03 May 2007 to 22 Mar 2011
Member
Appointed Member
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
14 May 2021 to 14 May 2026
Scottish Parliament
06 May 2021 to 08 April 2026
Scottish Liberal Democrats
27 August 2021 to 08 April 2026
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 February 2023 to 08 April 2026
Substitute Member
29 September 2021 to 08 April 2026
Convener
06 October 2021 to 01 February 2023
Substitute Member
18 November 2020 to 14 September 2021
Member
06 May 2021 to 27 August 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
22 June 2021 to 26 August 2021
Deputy Convener
17 June 2021 to 22 June 2021
Member
19 May 2016 to 20 May 2021
Appointed Member
29 May 2016 to 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 to 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 October 2016 to 04 May 2021
Member
08 June 2016 to 04 May 2021
Member
08 November 2016 to 04 May 2021
Substitute Member
29 August 2017 to 04 May 2021
Member
25 May 2011 to 19 May 2016
Appointed Member
20 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
20 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 June 2011 to 23 March 2016
Member
23 June 2011 to 23 March 2016
Substitute Member
01 September 2008 to 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 September 2008 to 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
03 September 2008 to 22 March 2011
Substitute Member
03 September 2008 to 22 March 2011
Member
21 June 2007 to 02 September 2008
Substitute Member
13 June 2007 to 02 September 2008
Member
24 May 2007 to 01 September 2008
Scottish Liberal Democrats
24 May 2007 to 01 September 2008
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for Liam McArthur. The date of their initial statement was 03 June 2026.
Since April 2023, I have been officiating local football matches in Orkney for fixtures organised by the Orkney Amateur Football Association (of Kinnmohr, Holm, Orkney, Scotland, KW17 2SD). I referee between two and three matches per month in the period between April and August each year. I have also undertaken officiating at Orkney FC matches in the North Caledonian League and inter-country fixtures. I have received match fees of between £25 and £50 and total payments received are between £501 and £1,000. I have donated the majority of the fees to a local charity, Inclusive Orkney, and to other local causes.
From 27 to 28 October 2011, I participated in a trip to the Elgin-Franklin oil and gas installation to learn more about the industry and how it operates. Total E&P UK (an oil and gas exploration and production company of Crawpeel Road, Altens, Aberdeen, AB12 3FG) met the costs of this visit which were approximately £1,750. This included coach and helicopter transport, accommodation and saftey clothing.
On 6 May 2025, I received support for the production of briefing packs in relation to the Stage 1 debate for my Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults. The cost of production of the briefing packs was £630 and was paid for by Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT).
I received the support of an additional staff member to support the development of my Member's Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults. The post was funded by three permissible donors: Friends at the End (a Scottish registered charity working to promote end of life choices, of 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE); Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT); Humanist Society Scotland (a Scottish registered charity that promotes humanist views and campaigns for assisted dying, of Suite 25, 4 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT). From January 2022 to June 2022, the support was provided four days per week. From June 2022 to June 2025, the additional support provided was one day per week. The total value of this support over this period (January 2022 - June 2025) amounted to £54,054 with individual donations as follows: Friends at the End - £18,081, Dignity in Dying - £18,081, Humanist Society - £18,081. From June 2025 until March 2026, this support continued for an average of three days per week. The total value of this support over this period (June 2025 - March 2026) amounted to £54,243 with individual donations as follows: Friends at the End - £18,081, Dignity in Dying - £18,081, Humanist Society Scotland - £18,081.
Since September 2021, I received support in publishing materials relating to my proposed Member's Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults, in the form of a website maintained by the permissible donor, Humanist Society Scotland (a Scottish registered charity that promotes humanist views and campaigns for assisted dying, of Suite 25, 4 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT). Humanist Society Scotland developed and maintained this website, www.assisteddying.scot, as well as covering the cost of the domain and website hosting. It was set up to host information relating to the public consultation on my proposals, in line with rules governing Member's Bills, including: my proposed consultation document; accessible versions of the consultation; the Non-Governmental Bills Unit's Summary Report on the consultation, and; responses to the public consultation by any individuals or organisations who provided permission for these to be published. It also hosts a report produced by the Medical Advisory Group I established to inform the practical implementation of legal assisted dying as proposed in my Member's Bill. The cost of the website was £572.56 per annum. The website remained live until the end of Session 6 of the Parliament for a total cost of £2,671.95.
From 7 to 11 October 2024, I was part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs who visited the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the invitation of the Director General, Taipei Representative Office (Edinburgh Office) in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China Department (of 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE). The delegation held meetings with a number of Government departments, trade and cultural organisations including: President MA Ying-Jeou and Madame Ma; Scottish Development International (Taiwan Office); Ministry of Transport and Communication; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Taipei City Council; Straits Exchange Foundation; British Trade and Cultural Office; Hsinchu Science Park; Green Energy and Environment Research Lab; King Car Whisky Distillery; and the National Centre for Traditional Arts. The cost of the visit comprised: air ticket £2,780; accommodation £528; bus £133; high speed rail £12; food £163; tickets for 101, opera and hot spring £59. The total cost was £3,675, met in its entirety by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). I also received gifts, which included a vase, a tie and a tie pin, a glass ornament and a book. The value of the items was below the threshold for registration in the gifts category.
From 9 to 13 February 2024, I visited California, USA, as part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs, meeting health professionals, family members of individuals who had used the state's End of Life Options Act, Senators and representatives of organisations who provide information about the provisions of the Act. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation and meals amounted to £2,694 and were paid by the permissible donor Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JF).
No registrable interests.
No registrable interests.
No registrable interests.
In August 2010, I became an honorary patron of the British Veterinary Association. My role involves raising awareness of the BVA's role and receiving information on activities and attitudes of the BVA, including access to the members only section of the BVA website. This role is unremunerated. I estimate that the value of gaining access to the website is below the threshold for registration in the gifts category. On 12 August 2021, I became a lifetime member.
I am Honorary Patron of the Orkney Japan Association. I was formerly President of the Association until November 2023.
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
I am an Ambassador for Hearts + Balls rugby charity. I was formerly a Director of the charity until December 2023.
Since 2020, I am President of East United FC, Orkney.
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 24 June 2026
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask.This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency…
Chamber meeting date: 24 June 2026
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask.This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency…
Chamber meeting date: 23 June 2026
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I have a constituent who, for the past nine years, has desperately sought treatment for swelling on his legs and groin that has progressively worsened and is now profoundly incapacitating…
Chamber meeting date: 23 June 2026
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I, too, thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of her statement, which obviously comes on the back of eye-watering rises in business rates earlier this year…
Chamber meeting date: 18 June 2026
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I thank the minister for providing early sight of her statement…
Read all of Liam McArthur's contributions in the Debating Chamber
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Motion ref. S7M-00469
Submitted by: Neil Gray, Airdrie, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Supported by: Kirsten Oswald
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 25, 2026
Result 89 for, 31 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Motion ref. S7M-00469.3
Submitted by: Maggie Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Supported by: Kate Nevens
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 25, 2026
Result 16 for, 104 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Motion ref. S7M-00469.5
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Supported by: James Adams
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 25, 2026
Result 26 for, 78 against, 15 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Disagreed
Motion ref. S7M-00469.1
Submitted by: Amanda Bland, Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK . Date lodged: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 25, 2026
Result 26 for, 94 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Disagreed
Motion ref. S7M-00469.2
Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 25, 2026
Result 65 for, 53 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Find out what motions Liam McArthur has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it plans to provide to local authorities and assessors regarding the classification of premises that sell vaping products alongside groceries, newspapers, confectionery or other retail goods."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government how many premises it anticipates will be excluded from non-domestic rates relief as a result of the proposed exclusion of vape shops, including how many of these premises are specialist vape retailers as opposed to mixed-use convenience stores or other types of retailer."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what appeals process will be available to a business that has been classified as a vape shop and excluded from non-domestic rates relief."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set a threshold for the proportion of a retailer’s turnover, floor space or product range that must be attributable to vaping products for a premises to be classified as a vape shop and therefore excluded from non-domestic rates relief."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government's statement to the Parliament on 23 June 2026 on Non-domestic Rates, how it will define a vape shop for the purposes of determining eligibility for non-domestic rates relief and what criteria will be used to distinguish a vape…
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risk that retailers offering a limited range of vaping products could be excluded from non-domestic rates relief, even where such products represent only a small proportion of their overall business activity."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 10 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 June 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address workforce planning challenges in staff recruitment and retention for health and social care services in Orkney."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 5 June 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what timeline has been agreed for the £500 million investment to extend free childcare to children aged between nine months and 12-years-old that it announced in March 2026."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 3 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 June 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the installation of electrical infrastructure in Orkney."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 June 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been remanded to prison custody by the High Court of the Judiciary and received a verdict of (a) not guilty, (b) not proceeded against and (c) not proven for the charges for which they were remanded, and what the (i) mean, (ii) median and (iii) 90th percentile length of time on remand was for such…
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament