Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament news and opinion from expert Scotsman journalists with an in-depth view from Holyrood

Yousaf must urgently mend the bridge he burned with Scottish Greens Stewart McDonald

The SNP is in crisis - but could this lead to a Scottish election?

Explainer Will there be a Scottish election?

First Minister Humza Yousaf holds a press conference as he announces the SNP will withdraw from the Bute House Agreement. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

What is a motion of no confidence and how does it work?

Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie, flanked by their fellow Scottish Green MSPs. Image: Lisa Ferguson/National World.

Grab your popcorn – there will be ‘plenty of drama’ at Holyrood next week

The Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers will go ahead at the same time as the Manchester derby FA Cup final. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Scottish Cup final kick-off time confirmed as decision made on FA Cup clash

Yousaf needs to realise that the SNP-Green marriage is over Paul Wilson

SNP MP Joanna Cherry is right about her party's flaws in government Murdo Fraser

Some of the four-legged friends in contention for the title of Holyrood Dog of the Year 2024.

The 13 adorable dogs in the running for Holyrood Dog of the Year 2024

Analysis SNP left bruised and battered after week from hell

Scotland's housing crisis means we must build on greenfield sites

Fergus Ewing

Fergus Ewing: Non-crime hate incidents are a ‘perversion’ of justice system

First Minister Humza Yousaf. Image: Fraser Bremner/Getty Images.

Humza Yousaf: 'Ludicrous' and 'disgraceful' to repeal Hate Crime Act

With two years to go, Yousaf already appears to have run out of steam John McLellan

Humza Yousaf

Tories launch bid to repeal Scotland's controversial new hate crime law

The whisky brand is being used to protect cheaper, less distinguished types of alcohol (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Why Scotch whisky industry deserves as much condemnation as celebration

The Scottish Parliament

Watchdog: Proliferation of commissioners in Scotland ‘undermining Holyrood’

SNP's incompetent government leaves Scotland mired in age of political regret Jackie Baillie

How Covid and Green ministers killed off cross-party co-operation at Holyrood Maurice Golden

Time for Scottish Parliament to give more power to the people Scotsman comment

Exclusive Author was left 'absolutely broken' by false allegations while teaching

Mary, Queen of Rock will be part of Assembly's Fringe line-up this year.

Fringe on track for one of its biggest line-ups as 1373 new shows go on sale

Johann Lamont. Picture: Jane Barlow

Politics in Scotland ‘is glib and immature’, says former Scottish Labour leader

Ewan Aitken, CEO Cyrenians Scotland

Homelessness fight needs to be properly funded - Ewan Aitken

MSPs should give us all the right to make our final life choice

‘Nice guy’ Yousaf is devoid of vision and focussing on wrong issues Kenny MacAskill

Liam McArthur MSP signs a pledge card in support of his Assisted Dying Bill at the Scottish Parliament (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA)

Assisted dying corrodes the golden rule of medicine to 'first do no harm'

Kevan Donoghue, who died from cancer, with his wife and former nurse, Patricia Donoghue

'He accepted death, but why did he have to suffer?'

Humza Yousaf

Holyrood may have to be recalled in summer to pass Post Office Horizon law

Grouse estates thought they were above the law, but those days are numbered Richard Dixon

Michael Matheson returns to the Scottish Parliament. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Michael Matheson rejects calls to resign as MSP as he returns to Holyrood

MSPs are demanding answers

Scottish Parliament to probe Creative Scotland funding of 'hardcore' film

Michael Matheson has not attended the Scottish Parliament since quitting his government job (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

Readers' letters: Scotland needs a Recall of MSPs Act

25 years after devolution, something is rotten in the state of Scottish politics Susan Dalgety

Child poverty is a sign of SNP and Tory governments' economic mismanagement Scotsman comment

Michael Matheson resigned as health secretary, Image: Jane Barlow/Press Association.

SNP told to clarify whether Michael Matheson is off sick from Holyrood

King Charles III during his coronation at Westminster Abbey. Image: Aaron Chown/Press Association.

Scottish Tories in call to commission Holyrood portrait of King Charles

Scottish Parliament staff are to be banned from wearing rainbow lanyards and badges.

Scottish Parliament staff to be banned from wearing rainbow lanyards

The majority of those polled said the Scottish Parliament should have more powers (Picture: Andy Buchanan/Pool/AFP via Getty)

Readers' letters: Draw your own conclusions from Scottish Parliament poll

The Scottish Parliament is celebrating 25 years as a devolved legislature this year (Picture: Michael Wolchover/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Scottish Parliament's 25th birthday brings some food for thought for the SNP

The Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh

Poll: Fewer than half of Scots believe Scottish Parliament has served them well

Yousaf suggests Matheson should not be forced to quit as MSP

Michael Matheson can choose to remain as an MSP until the next Scottish Parliament elections despite calls for him to quit: Picture: Pete Summers/PA Wire

Why Michael Matheson case shows it's time to follow Westminster with Recall Act

Michael Matheson breached two sections of MSPs code of conduct over iPad bill

New figures from DWP show a large reduction in the number of unemployed young people.

Call for employment law to be devolved to Scotland to help tackle child poverty

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon said she has has experienced more than her 'fair share' of 'ugly' social media comments, and previously had to call police to her home over harassment and security fears. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Former leadership contender says party must avoid complacency

Ian Blackford.

Who are the key MPs stepping down at the next general election?

A protestor from This Is Rigged is led away from the chamber during First Minister's Questions. Picture: Getty Images

Sketch: Record nine interruptions by protesters sums up tetchy FMQs

Political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann. Image: Dmitry Nosachev.

Russian dissident to visit Scottish Parliament

Scotland should join global movement for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Richard Dixon

Liam McArthur is bringing forward a Bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland

New assisted dying report should give public ‘reassurances’, says Lib Dem MSP

MSPs at the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee are due to hear evidence regarding the continuation of a special order which outlaws fishing within a designated area of the Clyde during spawning time to allow cod populations to recover. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Clyde fishing ban: Are measures too strict or should they be tightened?

Glen Rosa encased in scaffolding with Glen Sannox docked behind it at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow last week. (Photo by John Devlin/The Scotsman)

Ferguson Marine ferries fiasco: Glen Sannox may not be completed until June

​John Sturrock KC is founder of Core Solutions (Picture: Lloyd Duckett)

Poor legislation is an issue that must be addressd - John Sturrock

The state of NHS dentistry is not just about teeth - but life and death too Willie Rennie

SNP MSP John Mason. Picture: PA

SNP MSP told to apologise for 'appalling antisemitic' comment in Holyrood debate

Former health secretary Michael Matheson leaves the main chamber after First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament. He is pictured alongside his replacement in the health portfolio, Neil Gray. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Matheson given ten-day extension to respond to Parliament iPad investigation

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries