Jenni Minto
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I would like to reflect on Willie Rennie’s comments. Bute welcomed families from Syria, who are now an integral part of the island. In Lochgilphead, Ukrainian families have settled and helped to revitalise the town’s main street with two new businesses.”
“Mòran taing, Oifigear Riaghlaidh. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I want to start with the words of one of my constituents: “I am not a politician, nor do I ever wish to become one. I am a leatherworker, a father and a business owner.”
“Ben Macpherson: There are many initiatives and policies in this space to encourage and support our young people to ensure that they can fulfil their potential, including the free tuition that the Government has provided for students.”
“Yesterday, I met pupils at Sunnyside primary school in Glasgow, and we talked about climate change, the Celtic and Amazonian rainforests and the fact that Scotland is the proud host of a rainforest. In my constituency, Dunoon grammar school won the world’s best school prize for community collaboration.”
“If any of the Reform members had taken part in my colleague Maggie Chapman’s debate on university education, they would have heard me talk about the Scottish Association for Marine Science, which is in Oban, in my constituency.”
“He spoke about the impact that Brexit had had on his business and how, because of that vote, his order book collapsed. He had to find new ways of marketing and promoting his business to ensure that he and his family survived. He spoke about the support that he had received from the SNP to expand his business.”
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“Oh no—I have lost the final page of my notes. I have never done that before.”
“I would like to reflect on Willie Rennie’s comments. Bute welcomed families from Syria, who are now an integral part of the island. In Lochgilphead, Ukrainian families have settled and helped to revitalise the town’s main street with two new businesses. As the Proclaimers sing, “They’re all Scotland’s story and they’re all the same.” I would like to strongly associate myself with Willie Rennie’s remarks, and to recognise the amazing Nigerian and Baltic staff working at Balnacarron care home in St Andrews. I agree with Labour’s amendment. The importance of reducing inequalities is so important, and I whole-heartedly agree with the sentiments that Jenny Young expressed in her speech in the members’ business debate on Jo Cox last week. That is where we should come together in this Parliament to improve things for everyone.”
“Yesterday, I met pupils at Sunnyside primary school in Glasgow, and we talked about climate change, the Celtic and Amazonian rainforests and the fact that Scotland is the proud host of a rainforest. In my constituency, Dunoon grammar school won the world’s best school prize for community collaboration. That is the kind of schooling and education—and those are the kind of pupils—that we should be presenting. Duncan Massey talked about grid infrastructure. In Kintyre and Mid Argyll, in my constituency, £400 million has been invested in infrastructure upgrade in order to increase grid capacity; we also have investment in distribution enhancements for network resilience projects, because climate change means that we need to improve resilience. Therefore, that investment is happening in Scotland.”
“Having a world-class marine science research centre such as SAMS has allowed Highlands and Islands Enterprise to develop its European marine science park, bringing specialist companies in high-growth sectors to the area and improving repopulation in my constituency. Angela Ross talked a lot about education. I must say that I agree with her about one thing— although she is, in my opinion, contradicting one of her fellow party members—which is that art is not an optional extra. Art is one of the most important subjects, and we can all engage with it for many reasons, such as our mental wellbeing and the betterment of our country. I am interested to know whether Mr Kerr thinks that it is a pointless subject.”
“If any of the Reform members had taken part in my colleague Maggie Chapman’s debate on university education, they would have heard me talk about the Scottish Association for Marine Science, which is in Oban, in my constituency. Scientists there are doing lots of things: examining the life cycle and behaviours of sea lice in order to tackle one of the main issues in fin-fish aquaculture; using underwater robotic vehicles to identify entanglement risks to aquatic mammals; restoring many of the bottlenecks in the emerging seaweed farming industry; providing crucial marine mammal data for marine renewables; and using net zero as a way to employ people and improve our businesses. That strengthens our communities, expands the economy and helps businesses to cope with climate change.”
“Like others, I had not intended to speak in the debate, because I do not do the dog-whistle politics that some people like in this chamber. However, having had that conversation on Monday, I was compelled to do so. I politely suggest to Reform UK that its motion is an insult to hard-working Scots, whether they work in our schools, our hospitals or our small businesses. The utter negativity of the motion shows a complete lack of awareness of the amazing stuff that is happening across Scotland. I will touch on a couple of examples. The Reform motion mixes up net zero policies, as my colleague Jackie Dunbar has talked about. It says that net zero “harms individual opportunities and economic growth”.”
“Angela Ross: Do you not think that the 2014 referendum would have taken you out of Europe in the same way that Brexit did—that you would have caused your own Brexit? Jenni Minto: No, I do not. I believe that Scotland is a country that will be welcomed into the European Union. We have the most amazing resources, whether that is people, our landscape, the universities, the businesses or the energy. Moreover, from a strategic point of view, Scotland is incredibly important to Europe. My constituent and I spoke about the benefits of living in Argyll and Bute and how Scotland will be the best independent country in the world. That is not the empty rhetoric that we have heard from Reform this afternoon; that is hope, dreams and someone who cares about Scotland.”
“He spoke about the impact that Brexit had had on his business and how, because of that vote, his order book collapsed. He had to find new ways of marketing and promoting his business to ensure that he and his family survived. He spoke about the support that he had received from the SNP to expand his business. He spoke about the support that he had received from the Scottish Government to employ apprentices. That support has allowed him to expand his business to a third workshop. Angela Ross: Will the member take an intervention? Jenni Minto: I will finish my story first, if the member does not mind. That support has meant that those people have remained in Argyll and Bute, working in good jobs, contributing to the community and reducing population decline.”
“Mòran taing, Oifigear Riaghlaidh. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I want to start with the words of one of my constituents: “I am not a politician, nor do I ever wish to become one. I am a leatherworker, a father and a business owner. I want to spend my life building my business, raising my children and living quietly in Scotland. However, I also believe that when ordinary people see a problem in society, they should not be afraid to speak up and propose solutions.” My constituent wanted to talk to me because he wants to find a way for Scotland to become a normal, independent country. Angela Ross’s analogy of a crossroads is fair, but our decision as to which track we will follow is a different one. From my perspective, it is independence that we should choose. On Monday, I met my constituent and his wife.”
“Ben Macpherson: There are many initiatives and policies in this space to encourage and support our young people to ensure that they can fulfil their potential, including the free tuition that the Government has provided for students. More than 750,000 students have benefited from that policy since it was introduced by the first SNP Government. We are investing more in our college sector. In 2024-25, 93.5 per cent of school leavers were in a positive follow-up destination nine months after leaving school, and we congratulate them. We are not complacent. We realise the challenges that we are all facing, with technological change and the pressure in the economy around recruitment, but our young people are doing well, and the Government stands to support them as much as we can. Skills Development (Young People) 4.”
“In this atmosphere of collaboration, I, too, wish to recognise the point that Daniel Johnson and the minister made about involving industry. I see great examples of that, one of which involves Renewable Parts in Lochgilphead and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks working with Oban high school. The latest statistics on positive destination are demonstrative that the Scottish National Party Government’s investment is reaching where it matters most. What work is under way to ensure that access to work, training or further study is not limited by a young person’s background, given the unique challenges facing rural and island communities, such as those in my constituency of Argyll and Bute?”
“The 100-year-old Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa supplies and supports science around the world. Be it local or global, Scotland’s vital higher education sector must remain at the heart of world learning, and I support Maggie Chapman’s calls for connection and collaboration with everybody involved in our universities. We have far too much to lose if we do not do that. 16:25”
“SAMS scientists are examining the life cycle and behaviours of sea lice to help to tackle one of the main issues in finfish aquaculture, using underwater robotic vehicles to identify entanglement risks to marine mammals. There is so much going on, with great examples of further education and research tailoring their offerings to what their community needs, both locally and globally. I do not know whether anybody noticed the article in The Guardian today about the Biodiversity Heritage Library, an online archive of historical texts on species living and lost. The withdrawal of funding from that area of work will impact on our knowledge around biodiversity. As Maggie Chapman noted, this is not just a Scottish crisis; it is a worldwide one. We must ensure that we continue that education. SAMS hosts a rare algae library—leabharlann feamainn.”
“Industries such as finfish aquaculture, seaweed farming, fishing and offshore renewables increasingly rely on research data to innovate and inform sustainable development and best practice in their respective sectors. Scotland’s future growth depends on activity in those areas, and the research and available data must keep pace with industrial and commercial development. As well as ensuring that development is as environmentally sensitive as possible, it allows policy makers to make informed decisions. SAMS won the collaboration category at the UK Aquaculture Awards, having worked alongside the salmon farming industry and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.”
“UHI is in 48 locations, seven of which are in my constituency, and it provides flexible learning opportunities. It is also embedded in our secondary schools. For example, Oban high school students developed their own fish farm sites for their end-of-year projects as part of the into aquaculture course that was designed by Scottish Sea Farms in conjunction with UHI Argyll. I am pleased to see that there is collaboration between SAMS and UHI in a range of academic opportunities, from a BSc in marine science to PhDs in high-impact marine science fields. Those give opportunities to students who do not wish to move from the area to further their education, and they bring students from around the world to stem the brain drain and depopulation that Argyll and Bute faces.”
“Historically, the term referred not to a physical place of learning but to the people who made it, and that came through powerfully in Maggie Chapman’s speech. The origins of “university” made me wonder whether we have forgotten why we have universities and what their value is to our wider communities. I have two vital higher education establishments in my constituency: the University of the Highlands and Islands and the Scottish Association for Marine Science. SAMS’s strategy for 2025 to 2030 sets out a plan for “World-leading science for a healthy ocean and thriving people” and, perhaps, blue-sea thinking. For the reader, the words that jump out from the strategy are “together”, “discovery”, “educate”, “innovate”, “action” and, importantly, “people”.”
“I congratulate Maggie Chapman on securing this members’ business debate on such an important area of Scottish life: our universities and, more broadly, our higher education sector. Her final words were very powerful—I thank her for them— and I note that, in my constituency, there have been some issues around redundancies at the University of the Highlands and Islands. I was interested in the way in which Maggie Chapman started her speech, because it was the way in which my thought process has gone, too. If I may, I will take us back to the roots of the word “university”. It comes from the medieval Latin word “universitas”—I never did Latin, so apologies for my pronunciation—meaning a number of persons associated into one body.”
“Some of those opportunities have been taken up, particularly because of the Scottish Government’s community and renewable energy scheme. However, we need to go further on community ownership of renewable energy projects. Ministers will be keen to work with Ms Minto and other members as we take forward that work.”
“How do we join the dots between economic policies, just transition and child poverty to ensure a robust and sustainable future for all our children and young people, for now and for future generations? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Aspects of Jenni Minto’s questions highlight the real need and requirement for all of us to ensure that our child poverty mission fits exceptionally well with our work on climate action and that we deliver good, green economic growth. Those things are entirely linked. There are powerful examples of that making a difference, and power being put in the hands of communities, which are designing solutions that are right for the people and families who live there. Ms Minto raises the example of InspirAlba, and members will have seen other opportunities in their constituencies.”
“I listened carefully to the cabinet secretary’s response to Morven-May MacCallum, because my question is in a similar area. InspirAlba works with those who are most vulnerable across Argyll and Bute’s rural and island communities. Some of those communities, such as the communities in Gigha, Tiree and Glenbarr, have been groundbreaking in creating different conditions for community wellbeing. There are examples of community energy that have reinvigorated rural communities and invested in local solutions that reduce inequalities and ensure better outcomes for children and young people. However, less than 1 per cent of Scotland’s energy is in community or local authority ownership.”
“With experience of living in the Nordics for many years and working in the Baltic states, I see what small, independent, sovereign nations are able to do when both hands are freed. As I said, the Faroe Islands has a population of 50,000 and has more autonomy than Scotland. We have had more than a decade of chaos: the financial crash, followed by austerity, Brexit and the pandemic—all of which the UK Government under the representatives in Westminster of parties on both sides of this chamber have failed to manage. In Scotland, we have stability, reliability and a focus to take decisions on hope, ambition and business growth. Do I think that we should be doing more of that, as my good friend Paul Sweeney said yesterday, and should we have more devolution? I think so. Child Poverty”
“I thank the minister for her statement, which had business, hope and ambition for all of Scotland—especially rural and island areas such as Argyll and Bute—at its heart. I note the minister’s comments on the Faroe Islands. I am sure that she will agree that, given the challenging Scottish budget settlement and the economic circumstances, there is a clear case for Scotland to have additional fiscal flexibilities to better manage our budget. Does she agree that Scotland would be far better placed to manage the public finances if it had the full powers of independence? Hannah Mary Goodlad: I am a member of the Scottish National Party, so of course I think that Scotland should be able to free both hands from behind its back and manage its finances and affairs in the way that any normal country does.”
“I note that Scottish Labour previously talked about the issue but, as with everybody else, UK Labour does not seem to be listening to it.”
“Stephen Gethins: Jenni Minto rightly highlights that Brexit has created a real and growing workforce challenge across Scotland in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, social care and other areas that have traditionally relied on access to EU labour. Jenni Minto knows the impact that that has had on areas such as Argyll and Bute. The Scottish Government has highlighted and discussed those challenges with the UK Government and has proposed practical solutions, such as a tailored Scottish visa and a rural visa pilot. When I was a member of the House of Commons, I tried to take through a private member’s bill on that very matter. We continue to encourage the UK Government to address the issue and to work with the Scottish Government.”
“I thank the minister for his statement and I agree that Scotland should most definitely be at the heart of Europe. Ending the free movement of labour has severely restricted the pool of workers in key sectors in Argyll and Bute. Tourism, hospitality and the care sector have all struggled with staff shortages and recruitment difficulties, and I have lost count of the number of organisations that have spoken to me directly about that. Given that the UK Government has neglected to act to resolve the issue, does the minister agree that it should step aside and devolve the powers to the Scottish Parliament so that we can introduce a Scottish visa system that supports all those sectors and more?”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timeline for the delivery of a medium-term solution to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. (S7O-00094)”
“There is a proverb that I hope the cabinet secretary and others will take note of, and which recognises the importance of Scotland’s public service teams. That proverb is, “An rud a nithear gu math, chithear a bhuil,” or, “What is well done will be shown by results.””
“Dawn Black was absolutely correct to talk about Mairi Gougeon and her work on the good food nation, which could really empower local procurement and community wealth building. I heard a suggestion from Argyll and Bute Council about childminders looking after children outwith their homes. I also think, as others have said, that we should move away from yearly budget allocations and, as I mentioned yesterday, I think that we need simpler forms. We should listen directly to communities that find solutions to situations. For example, Tiree has a community vet, a solar array and a community interest company for local carers. Those are all things that local people are doing to try to change the way in which their community operates. As you know, Presiding Officer, I am trying to bring Gaelic into the chamber.”
“In March, I attended a fashion show in Oban, where four local third sector organisations came together to collaborate—not compete—to raise funds for the amazing work that they do across the Oban area. It was fun, colourful and had a clear message: look what we can do if we are empowered to pool our scarce resources. I would advocate for a memorandum of understanding between statutory bodies and the third sector to enable such collaboration, and I absolutely recognise what David Green said about Highland Hospice. In the time that I have left, I will drop some pebbles into the pool and hope that the ripples that they create will shift public service reform in the right direction.”
“It was clear from the questions we were asked that the triangle of CalMac Ferries, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Transport Scotland does not work. I am pleased that our manifesto includes a commitment to look at that. One suggestion—the Norwegian operating model—was considered and I hope that both Mr McKee and Mr Flynn will take that on board, so to speak. I strongly believe that the fantastic third sector will help to provide the answers to many of our questions, as others have said. Those in that sector understand the people whom they support, are willing to find innovative ways of working, and are trusted by communities, as Dawn Black mentioned.”
“I also highlight that the hospital at home service is very successful in my community. I support the new thinking around subnational planning in our NHS to spread good practice but, having listened to constituents, I have the following observations. When it comes to specialisms such as hip and knee replacements, a national service is the way forward. However, kidney dialysis services should, in my view, be local. I have seen the difference that the dialysis service on the Isle of Bute has made there and how different that is to the experience of my constituents in Lorn and the isles, who have to travel to Fort William for dialysis. I hope that distinction will be recognised by the Government and acted on by cabinet secretaries. I attended many hustings during the election campaign and the question of ferries always came up.”
“I would argue that it is the people who provide those services who know where efficiencies can be achieved, and I agree with the cabinet secretary’s point that organisations need to be structured in a way that allows such dialogue to take place. When I served in government, I visited NHS Ayrshire and Arran with the women’s health champion, Professor Anna Glasier, and we saw two amazing examples of small teams working together to find ways of integrating disciplines and using new technologies to improve women’s health and change the culture. They knew that they had no more budget. However, they also knew that, by utilising that budget differently, they could invest in prevention and improve women’s health, which is exactly what Joe Long was talking about.”
“Therefore, I believe that learning from those on the front line can drive change and enable progress to be made. Islay has been my home for the past 15 years. What struck me when I first moved there was the importance of the role that the public sector plays in rural and island communities. People in such communities are closer to the public sector. We see the consequences of public sector decision making. We know the refuse collectors, the teachers live up the road from us and we bump into the doctor in the Co-op. The public sector, which provides the services that we all need, is the beating heart of small communities, and I thank it for its work.”
“I would like to continue the theme that Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher started, which Alyn Smith followed up on, by suggesting that, in Ivan McKee, we have Ivan the Great. Prior to moving to Argyll and Bute, I lived in Glasgow and worked for BBC Scotland, where I had the pleasure of using my skills as an accountant to empower people to make programmes as creatively and efficiently as possible and give best value to the audience. I have never made a television or radio programme in my life, but I know that, when I had to provide business plans or budgets, the best people to give me the right information to crunch the numbers were the programme makers themselves. I believe that I created an atmosphere of collaboration, not competition, between different programme makers, and I believe that I gained their trust.”
“However, I would point out that we have provided a record £17.5 billion to health boards and that, since 2018, we have provided more than £34 million to invest in maternity and neonatal services alone.”
“She has done, and will continue to do, great work in championing the healthcare needs of women, and she will continue to be a strong voice for rural Scotland. I am sure that Ms Minto will be aware that local authorities and health and social care partnerships are responsible for planning and delivering services that meet local needs. I want to be clear that safe and effective care for women using maternity services is of the utmost importance. I recognise the challenges that women face in rural areas of Scotland, including in Argyll and Bute. With another hat that I used to wear, I was the minister with responsibility for resilience, so I have become intimately familiar with the weather challenges, whether in Argyll and Bute or in Caithness, and I appreciate the logistical challenges for public services and, indeed, emergency services.”
“I, too, associate myself with the cabinet secretary’s comments with respect to the staff who work in maternity services, especially those in Argyll and Bute. This is a follow-on question from Donald MacKinnon’s. To ensure that the current 24-hour midwife-led community service is maintained in places such as Argyll and Bute, staffing levels cannot be reduced. What discussions is the Scottish Government having with health boards and health and social care partnerships to ensure that there is appropriate staff funding to improve maternity services across Scotland, especially in rural constituencies such as Argyll and Bute? How are the very important rural and island voices being included in the maternity review? Angela Constance: I am grateful to Ms Minto for her question.”
“We have skilled and talented people who are building the foundations of an independent Scotland’s film industry. I will finish with more of Grace Wallace’s words: “I believe that this sector needs to grow and thrive, to allow young people, like myself, to pursue their dreams, no matter where they come from, and open doors for demonstrating their talents and expressing their creativity.” 18:31”
“Ten years ago, the wee picture house in Campbeltown was lovingly restored with thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and played a starring role in “Cinema Gadelica”—a BBC Alba production that showcased films that were shot in iconic Scottish locations. Studio Cinema Dunoon opened in 1976 and is part of West Coast Cinemas. The Isle of Bute Winter Garden cinema is a community-owned single-screen cinema. As others have said, cinemas such as those are full of laughter, crying, horror, and excitement. They are at the centre of communities and bring people together through cinema. As Liam Kerr highlighted, they need investment. The Scottish film industry is booming. We should build on that success and be even more ambitious for the sector.”
“It gave me the opportunity to learn and experiment in all areas of the film industry: from pre to post production, both in front of and behind the camera, and working with people already in the sector. I have been given the skill set and confidence to seek further opportunities in this area, which as a young woman from a small island originally seemed impossible.” That is definitely a five-star review. We also need places to watch films, as Liam Kerr, Michael Marra and Lloyd Melville have all noted in the debate. Later this summer, Screen Machine 3 will return to its west coast venues, with £1.49 million raised, £500,000 of which was from the Scottish Government.”
“I had a fabulous visit to the Rothesay joint campus with you, Presiding Officer, in the previous session of the Parliament. Having worked at BBC Scotland—very much behind the camera—and having a husband who works in the industry, I am excited that that education is now at the heart of Scotland’s curriculum. As Outlander actor Sam Heughan has said, “Film and Screen storytelling is at the centre of developing a child’s imagination, a way for communities to represent their identity and individuals to connect with others.” That is certainly what Q Manivannan contributed. Sam Heughan is not from Argyll and Bute, but Grace Wallace is. This is what she told me about her learning experience at Rothesay academy: “The Film and Screen course made me certain of my future.”
“The brutalist, concrete structure of the Cruachan dam, which resembles Darth Vader’s mask, played a starring role in the Disney+ Star Wars prequel series “Andor”. However, as others have said, film is nothing without its cast, whether in front of the camera— the man of the small and silver screen, Sylvester McCoy, was born in Dunoon, and Ashley-Anne Lilley of Rothesay made her film debut in “Mamma Mia!”—or in the crew, production team and writers. Screen Argyll on Tiree provides opportunities for communities to connect through film. The Sea Change film festival is Scotland’s only annual film festival that is dedicated to empowering women in film and celebrating women behind the camera, with funding from Sgrin Alba—Screen Scotland. Sgrin Alba also had a vision to embed film and screen education and qualifications in Scotland’s schools.”
“Meal do naidheachd—congratulations—to my colleague Alyn Smith on securing this members’ business debate on the importance of the screen industry in Scotland. As members will know, I believe that my constituency is Scotland’s most beautiful, because of its land and seascape and its people. Collectively, those elements make Argyll and Bute—and Scotland—a perfect location for the film industry. I will set the scene in land and seascape. A plethora of films have used the rugged, rolling scenery of Argyll. Mull and the Corryvreckan were the location of the 1945 classic, “I Know Where I’m Going”. Walt Disney’s film “The Three Lives of Thomasina” was set in the picture-perfect town of Inveraray.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to adopt a tell-us-once approach to grant schemes, such as fair work first, across its departments to reduce the burden on individuals, organisations and businesses, as part of its planned public sector reform. (S7O-00045)”
“The SFRS works collaboratively with a range of partners, including the coastguard service, on response and resilience in rural areas. Many fire stations share facilities with organisations such as the coastguard, and Scotland’s safety and resilience rely on people carrying out roles such as that of an on-call firefighter. I am grateful to the men and women who carry out those roles for doing so. The SFRS is flexible when setting on-call periods so that, wherever possible, multiple volunteer roles can be accommodated. I am very familiar with that, given my island upbringing—as Ms Minto will be, given her experience as a constituency MSP. GP Walk-in Centres (North Ayrshire) 3.”
“I appreciate that these are independent decisions to be made by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, but I am interested to know whether the Scottish Government is looking at the cumulative impact of those changes on, for example, other rescue services such as the coastguard, for which I understand there were proposals to move to a purely voluntary service. Given the significant impact that that could have on constituencies that have so many coastal communities, such as Argyll and Bute, is the cabinet secretary willing to meet me to discuss the matter further? Neil Gray: The short answer is yes. I am happy to meet Ms Minto or any other member to discuss the matter further. The challenge of multiple organisations drawing on small rural populations is not new.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had a problem with my app, too. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Your vote is recorded.”
“It is the final line of the poem “Iomain”, written by our Gaelic makar, Peter Mackay, which he penned for the opening of the Shinty museum in Inverness. I think that it rings true for all sports, and especially for the summer of sport. “Seo e a-nis: nach tig sibh a dh’iomain?” Okay, then, won’t you come and join me in shinty?”
“Tayinloan has just confirmed that it will be building a biking pump track—a fantastic example of a village community working together, thinking big and using sport and exercise as the focus of their community cohesion and so invigorating their community. I will briefly touch on ferries. The ferry timetable can be a barrier to participation in sport for island children. That was raised with me by a group of parents on the fantastic new Isle of Islay ferry. I met Caledonian MacBrayne this morning and pressed home to it that I hope that it, along with Transport Scotland, will ensure that the community voice is heard in future timetable discussions. I am drawing to a close, Presiding Officer. I started with a Gaelic phrase and I will end with one.”
“I welcome, too, the investment that has been provided for every primary school child to learn to swim. That policy will make a real difference, not only in supporting swimming facilities in our communities but in building skills that will undoubtedly save lives. For the length and breadth of Argyll and Bute, communities continue to work together to ensure that sport and exercise are accessible. The fabulous Adventure Oban is a community-led outdoor activity charity that supports equal access for all to Oban’s natural playground. This weekend, its big bike weekend is returning with lots of fun for all the family.”