Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency) 2011 - present day
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency) 2007 - 2011
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5815
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.
Substitute Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Co-Convener
Member
Member
Member
Convener
Scottish Parliament
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 October 2021 - 01 February 2023
Substitute Member
18 November 2020 - 14 September 2021
Member
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
22 June 2021 - 26 August 2021
Deputy Convener
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Member
19 May 2016 - 20 May 2021
Appointed Member
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Member
06 October 2016 - 04 May 2021
Member
08 November 2016 - 04 May 2021
Substitute Member
29 August 2017 - 04 May 2021
Member
25 May 2011 - 19 May 2016
Appointed Member
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Member
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Substitute Member
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Substitute Member
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Member
21 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Substitute Member
13 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Member
24 May 2007 - 01 September 2008
Scottish Liberal Democrats
24 May 2007 - 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 20 May 2021.
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 2 and 3 matches per month in the period between April and August each year. I have also undertaken officiating at Orkney FC matches un 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. [Registered 21 May 2025]
I have been receiving 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 is funded by three permissible donors: Friends at the End (a Scottish registered charity working to promote end of life choices, of 4 Queen St, 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 4 days per week. Since June 2022 the additional support provided was one day per week. It is expected that support will continue at one day per week until June 2025. The total value of this support over this period (January 2022 – June 2025) will amount to £54,054 with individual donations as follows: Friends at the End - £18,018, Dignity in Dying - £18,018 Humanist Society Scotland - £18,018. [Registered 3 May 2022, Amended interest 14 October 2022, Amended interest 24 October 2022, Amended interest 26 September 2023, Amended interest 6 September 2024, Amended interest 14 January 2025]
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 safety clothing.
Since September 2021, I have 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 have developed and continue to maintain 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 proposal 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 as proposed in my Member’s Bill. The cost of the website is £572.56 per annum. Up to September 2023 the total costs for the website are: £1,145.12. The website will remain live for the remainder of this Session of the Parliament to a total cumulative cost of £2,671.95. [Registered 26 September 2023]
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 £630.00 and was paid for by Dignity in Dying (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). [Registered 5 June 2025]
From 9 February 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 2JT). [Registered 7 March 2024]
From 7 to 11 October 2014 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 was; 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 tie pin, a glass ornament and a book. The value of the items are below the threshold for registration in the gifts category.
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. [Amended interest 27 August 2021]
I am the former Chair of the Orkney Japan Association. [Amended interest 11 September 2024]
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
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: 17 December 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "Question 7 has been withdrawn."
Chamber meeting date: 17 December 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "Can members listen to both the questions and the responses in a respectful manner?"
Chamber meeting date: 17 December 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "We will need greater brevity in questions."
Chamber meeting date: 17 December 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "We move to questions on the health and social care portfolio. I advise members that there is a lot of interest in asking supplementary questions. If I am to get through them all, I will need brevity in questions and responses."
Chamber meeting date: 17 December 2025
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "With apologies to members I was unable to call, that concludes portfolio questions on health and social care."
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Result 57 for, 67 against, 1 abstained, 4 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Result 1 for, 95 against, 18 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP not voted
Disagreed
Submitted by: Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Friday, December 12, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Result 119 for, 2 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Result 120 for, 0 against, 1 abstained, 8 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, December 11, 2025
Result 79 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 23 did not vote
MSP not voted
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: 4 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase awareness of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in light of a recent survey by Crohn's & Colitis UK, which found that around half of respondents from Scotland are not very familiar with IBD, and over three in five do not know that IBD can be life-threatening."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 4 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41729 by Angela Constance on 18 November 2025, how many prisoners mistakenly released from Scotland's prisons have not been returned to prison, in each of the last five years, including 2025-26 to date."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 5 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41814 by Gillian Martin on 25 November 2025, how it is investing in Scotland’s water and sewage network to ensure it is fully able to cope with expected increases of heavy rainfall events in the future."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 5 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41814 by Gillian Martin on 25 November 2025, whether it has carried out a cost analysis of the expansion of the monitoring coverage to all remaining overflow locations in Scotland…
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 27 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 15 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release, Harnessing data and technology to revolutionise public services, on 20 November 2025, when its planned digital public services app will introduce a digital proof of age."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 27 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release, Harnessing data and technology to revolutionise public services, on 20 November 2025, on what date in 2026 it will launch its new app to “help people access personalised public services more easily”."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 10 December 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any implications of the draft 2026 revaluation of non-domestic rates for local communities that rely on self-catering accommodation to support population retention and local services."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 10 December 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support local authorities to manage any potential increases in business distress or closures linked to the draft 2026 revaluation of non-domestic rates for self-catering properties."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 10 December 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the effect of the draft rateable value increases on the long-term economic resilience of rural areas dependent on tourism."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 2 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 10 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the 15% increase in thefts from shops, as reported in the latest Recorded Crime in Scotland statistics, and what its position is on future funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce."
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament