Chamber and committees

That the Parliament agrees this motion. 

That the Parliament notes the announcement that Elspeth Macdonald is to retire as chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) in March 2027, having led the organisation since 2019; believes that Elspeth has become one of the most authoritative voices in the UK seafood sector and that she has led the way through several major changes, including the UK’s exit from the EU, the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving environmental policies, the implementation of new fisheries management arrangements and periods of global instability; commends the leadership that Elspeth showed when she and the SFF led the campaign against plans to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas; acknowledges Elspeth’s ability to work with all elected representatives, regardless of political affiliation; recognises that she is highly respected by both the Scottish and UK governments and parliaments; thanks Elspeth for her outstanding service to the fishing industry and Scotland’s coastal communities, and wishes her well on her retirement.

That the Parliament regrets what it sees as the decision by the previous Scottish National Party administration to break its 2021 manifesto commitment to fully dual the A96 by 2030; understands that the current approach focuses on dualling identified key sections of the route rather than the full corridor, with no confirmed timetable for completion; understands the importance of the A96 to communities and businesses across Moray and North East Scotland and the need for long-term certainty to support investment and economic growth, and recognises the calls on the Scottish Government to review its current position and to set out a clear and deliverable plan for the completion of the key sections, including firm timelines, and for the full dualling of the A96 to be taken forward as soon as possible.

That the Parliament continues to recognise the reported widespread opposition within communities to the proposed Moray FLOW-Park; welcomes the debate that took place in Parliament on 18 February 2026, which was attended by local campaigners against the proposed FLOW-Park; believes that the debate raised a number of important issues, including calls for the Moray FLOW-Park to undergo a full environmental impact assessment, for what reason other sites, that had been considered, were not taken forward and for what reason funding was awarded to the developer, Offshore Solutions Group, by the Crown Estate and Scottish Enterprise, when the proposal was, and remains, in its infancy; further believes that the strength of public opposition to the project is so significant that the proposal should be abandoned and that any public money awarded to the developer in respect of this proposal should be subject to clawback provisions, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to side with communities against this damaging proposal.

That the Parliament congratulates several young curlers from Moray on their successes at recent national competitions; understands that Elgin Academy pupil, Lillia Clarke, won the Scottish Junior Championships in Aberdeen in November 2025, alongside her teammates as part of Team Archibald, as well as the Under-21 Slam Series in January 2026; further understands that Fraser Rankin, also from Elgin, won the Scottish Pairs Championships in Stranraer in March 2026, alongside his curling partner from Kinross; recognises the increasing popularity of curling and the growing successes of young curlers from across Moray; believes that the Elgin Ice Rink, which was saved from closure in September 2025, will play a critical role in developing the next generation of curlers, and wishes every young curler from Moray and across the Highlands and Islands region well for future competitions.

That the Parliament congratulates Lower Mill of Tynet Farm in Moray on winning a prestigious Golden Scoop Award in the Innovative Class category for its Toots Beer ice cream at the Ice Cream Alliance Awards night on 5 March 2026; understands that this award goes to the ice cream that most pushes boundaries and challenges expectations, including using unconventional ingredients, creating products tailored for specific consumer groups or tackling key consumer challenges; notes that the Toots Beer flavour involves a collaboration with Rothes Brewery; recognises that farm owners June and Gordon Whiteford expanded their farm into a micro-dairy business in 2020 and that the main ingredients for their ice creams are sourced from their farm, as well as using natural flavourings, such is their commitment to sustainable farming, and wishes everyone at Lower Mill of Tynet Farm more success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Edith Cook and Elizabeth Hewitt, both of Forres in Moray, on each being awarded a prestigious Benemerenti Medal by Pope Leo XIV for their longstanding service to the Catholic Church; believes that the Benemerenti Medal is the highest honour a layperson can receive and that it is exceptionally rare for two people from the same parish to receive it at the same time; understands that Edith has been the organist at St Margaret's RC Church for the last 50 years and that Elizabeth was a teacher at St Sylvester's school for many years, and has lead the Children's Liturgy Group at St Margaret's and the Moray Faith and Light group for over 20 years; recognises the important role that volunteers play in local communities, and offers Edith and Elizabeth the very best wishes on their awards.

That the Parliament congratulates Machrihanish Golf Club on reaching its 150th anniversary; understands that the club was founded on 11 March 1876 when eight men met in the Argyll Arms Hotel in Campbeltown to form a club to play golf at Machrihanish; notes that the original course had 10 holes and  was then extended to 12 holes, before Scottish golfing legend Old Tom Morris extended the course to 18 holes in 1879, and is now known as the Championship Course; further notes that the Machrihanish Ladies Golf Club was founded in 1890 with its own nine hole course established, now known as the Pans Course; understands that this milestone event was celebrated with two anniversary competitions followed by an evening of festivities; believes that Machrihanish Golf Club plays an important role in the local community, bringing people together and supporting the next generation of golfers in Kintyre, and wishes everyone involved with the club the best for the next 150 years.

That the Parliament congratulates everyone involved with the MacMoray Easter Festival on winning the Festival of the Year award at the Scottish Live Music Awards 2025, which was held in Glasgow on 5 March 2026; understands that MacMoray was up against several major festivals including TRNSMT and Belladrum but secured the support of the 39 strong judging panel, which was made up of key names from across Scotland's music and festival scene; recognises that MacMoray was founded in 2022 by Andy MacDonald and has since grown in size and popularity each year, and wishes the team behind MacMoray the best for the 2026 festival and for the years ahead.

That the Parliament congratulates Team Turnidge of Moray Junior Curling Club on their victory in the U15 competition at the recent Perth Funspiel; notes that the team was skipped by Cameron Turnidge and completed by Robert Mackandie, Erin Bryceland and Alaisdair Morrison; commends the team members for their achievement, and wishes them continued success in future competitions.