Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Email: [email protected]
Website: finlaycarson.co.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @fincarson
Facebook: Finlay's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
107 King Street
Castle Douglas
DG7 1LZ
Phone: 01556 504991
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Member
Deputy Convener
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Deputy Convener
Member
Member
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
22 June 2021 - 01 February 2023
Convener
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
17 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Deputy Convener
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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 Finlay Carson. The date of their initial statement was 09 June 2021.
Until 30 April 2023, when I resigned, I was a Director of Conchieton Solutions, an IT consultancy firm (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). I received dividends of £2,000 on 1 June 2020 and £2,000 in June 2021. I estimated that, over the session, I would spend 5 hours per annum on this role. [Amended interest 28 June 2023]
Until 30 April 2023, when I resigned, I was a partner in J and F Carson, a farming and property letting partnership (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). I received £13,000 in drawings from the partnership in 2020. In 2021 I was remunerated by way of profit share and I estimated I would spend up to 14 hours per annum on this role. [Amended interest 28 June 2023]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
From 14 to 16 August 2018 I travelled to Norway on a study visit to explore Deposit Return Schemes. The costs of the visit were approximately £689, £220 for hotel, £319 for flights and around £150 for meals, which were met by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (a registered charity that funds the charitable work of organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society of Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG). I believe that the interest does not meet the prejudice test.
On 23 February 2018 I and my daughter attended the Scotland v France rugby match at Murrayfield as guests of BT Openreach. In addition to tickets for the match the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was approximately £1000. I do not consider that this meets the prejudice test but wish it to be registered in the voluntary section of my register.
On 9 March 2019 I attended the Scotland v Wales rugby match at Murrayfield as guests of BT Scotland. In addition to the ticket for the match, the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was approximately £500. I believe that the interest does not meet the prejudice test.
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: 15 January 2026
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "My constituents are deeply alarmed that Dumfries and Galloway’s integration joint board plans to end Alzheimer Scotland-commissioned dementia support on 31 March…
Chamber meeting date: 14 January 2026
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Football has always played a crucial role in the psyche of most Scots, whether they follow a big team or just the local lads side…
Chamber meeting date: 13 January 2026
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee to present our stage 1 report…
Chamber meeting date: 7 January 2026
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Climate change is not a distant threat. Our coastal and rural communities are already feeling the pressure, with heavier rainfall, frequent storms and volatile rivers. My Galloway and West Dumfries constituency knows that reality all too well…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 7 January 2026
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the first meeting of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in 2026. I wish everybody a happy new year. Before we begin, I remind everyone to switch their electronic devices to silent…
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 15, 2026
Result 82 for, 1 against, 28 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP not voted
Agreed
Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 12, 2026
Supported by: Kate Forbes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 15, 2026
Result 114 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 15, 2026
Result 22 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Result 87 for, 1 against, 25 abstained, 16 did not vote
MSP abstained
Agreed
Submitted by: Ivan McKee, Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 5, 2026
Supported by: Shona Robison
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 8, 2026
Result 65 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP not voted
Agreed
Find out what motions Finlay Carson has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on (a) rural employment and (b) local supply chains of the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots, broken down by (i) local authority area and (ii) and rural area classification type, and what mitigations are planned."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence and policy objectives underpin the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots, and whether it will publish all impact assessments and the consultation analysis."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) gross and (b) net revenue it forecasts over each of the next five years from the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what effect the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots is expected to have on conservation and land management associated with shoots, and how this aligns with its climate and biodiversity targets."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 3 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what research or assessments it has carried out in the south west of Scotland to understand the environmental impact of recent or planned road improvement projects."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 5 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of any reductions in police officer numbers since 2020 on rural communities."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what powers local communities will have to raise objections in relation to new energy infrastructure projects."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 24 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 October 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement its Marine Directorate has undertaken to progress any plans to reopen a boat-based cockle fishery on the Solway Firth."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 4 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish breast screening statistics for 2023-24, which were initially scheduled to be published in spring 2025, have been postponed until December 2025."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 4 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of reviewing and implementing the recommendations of the Breast Screening Modernisation Board, and by what date the board's final recommendations, including those on data improvement, will be published."
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament