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.
Scottish Parliament
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Scottish Liberal Democrats
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]
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]
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]
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 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.
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]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
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]
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 March 2026
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "test e"
Chamber meeting date: 19 January 2026
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…
Chamber meeting date: 16 January 2026
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…
Chamber meeting date: 16 January 2026
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…
Chamber meeting date: 16 January 2026
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The Official Report is a written record of what was said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and in committee meetings. It is a substantially verbatim report…
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Motion ref. S6M-20844
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 19, 2026
Result 93 for, 29 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Motion ref. S6M-20826.1
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 51 for, 71 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP voted against
Disagreed
Motion ref. S6M-20827
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 112 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP not voted
Agreed
Motion ref. S6M-20820.2
Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 93 for, 28 against, 1 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Motion ref. S6M-20819.3
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 89 for, 7 against, 27 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Find out what motions Liam McArthur has submitted recently.
Motion ref. S6M-20845
Motion ref. S6M-20725
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: 10 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding innovation funding and policy development for wave and wider marine energy, what engagement it has had with the UK Government and Great British Energy within the last 12 months; on what date and through which channels any such engagement took place, and what responses or commitments were received."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 25 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in rural and island communities."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 18 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish responses to its consultation on a potential point of entry levy."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35293 by Paul McLennan on 7 March 2025, when it plans to publish the next local authority analysis for the Scottish House Condition Survey."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 23 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 6 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41439 by Shona Robison on 6 November 2025, whether it will provide an update on when it will publish the results of, and response to, its consultation on a cruise ship levy."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 27 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 5 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether the Air Discount Scheme will be continued in its current from after March 2026."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 30 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 5 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government whether the removal of peak ferry fares for Northern Isles ferry services will also apply to (a) cabin and (b) car bookings."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 4 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the agricultural sector in Orkney on changes being made to Ecological Focus Area activities."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 28 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Men’s Shed movement on the issue of men’s health in Scotland, and how it plans to work with the Men’s Shed movement and similar groups in the future, including on the introduction of a men’s health strategy."
Asked by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 23 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 9 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement by the UK Government on 19 November 2025 that it will develop a Men’s Health Strategy, what representations it has received in support of a similar strategy being developed for Scotland."
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament