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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

Alasdair Allan

Scottish National Party

MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Constituency) 2011 - present day

Former MSP for Western Isles (Constituency) 2007 - 2011

About Alasdair Allan

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @alasdairallan

Bluesky: @

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 01851 700357
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

20 Kenneth Street
Stornoway
HS1 2DR

Phone: 01851 700357
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Alasdair is a member of 1 cross-party group

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Alasdair does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Alasdair does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Alasdair has had 19 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

27 June 2024 - 13 June 2025

Acting Minister for Climate Action

Scottish Government

29 June 2023 - 17 June 2024

Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Substitute Member

01 February 2023 - 17 June 2024

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 29 June 2023

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 01 February 2023

Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Member

08 September 2021 - 31 March 2022

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Substitute Member

06 February 2019 - 04 May 2021

Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints

Member

06 October 2020 - 04 May 2021

Finance and Constitution Committee

Member

06 September 2018 - 06 October 2020

Education and Skills Committee

Member

25 February 2020 - 01 September 2020

Justice Committee

Member

06 September 2018 - 25 February 2020

Social Security Committee

Member

18 May 2016 - 28 June 2018

Minister for International Development and Europe

Scottish Government

06 December 2011 - 18 May 2016

Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages

Scottish Government

25 May 2011 - 06 December 2011

Minister for Learning and Skills

Scottish Government

27 March 2008 - 22 March 2011

parliamentaryLiaisonOfficerToTheOffice of the First Minister

Scottish Government

14 June 2007 - 22 March 2011

Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee

Substitute Member

20 May 2010 - 22 March 2011

Education Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

Member

02 September 2008 - 20 May 2010

Local Government and Communities Committee

Deputy Convener

13 June 2007 - 02 September 2008

Local Government and Communities Committee

Member

Register of interests

Alasdair's register of interests

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 Alasdair Allan. The date of their initial statement was 22 May 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

In 2017 and 2020 I ran competitions in schools in the Western Isles to design my official Christmas card. Ask Care Hire (a care hire company of, Isle of Benbecula) made donations of £200 in 2017 and £250 in 2020 to cover some of the costs of these cards. I did not profit personally from these donations but as the 2020 donation took me over the threshold for gifts I wished to add these to my Register for reasons of transparency.

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am a member of the Western Isles Credit Union, where I have had a token amount of £5 invested since 2009. I do this to indicate my support for the Credit Union movement and receive no material financial benefit.

In 2017 I ran a competition in schools in the Western Isles to design my official Christmas card. The following donations were made by local firms to cover some of the costs of these cards; Harris Tweed Hebrides, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, £100; Lighting Electrical, Stornoway, £100; Isle of Barra Beach Hotel, Isle of Barra, £50; and Bob Golland Plumbing, Isle of Lewis, £20. For one further sponsor of this competition, see the “gifts” section of the register.

I am a member of Coisir Sgir’ a Bhac (Back Gaelic Choir). I have been involved with this choir since 2006 and subsequently become a paid up member. I receive no remuneration from this membership.

I have a single £25 share in Seallam Ltd, a community company seeking to develop a genealogical visitor centre in Harris. I make no profit from this share, and it represents less than 1% of the company’s value. [Registered 10 November 2022]

In December 2022, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card. I received the following contributions to help offset the cost of printing: £50 from the Borve Lodge Estate, Isle of Harris and £50 from the Church Street Chip Shop, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. [Registered 31 January 2023]

I am a member of Uist Wool, from which I receive no financial or other benefit.

In October 2012 I received a gift of a large framed photograph of the isle of Harris for the wall of my office in Holyrood from the Morvern Gallery ltd, Barvas, Isle of Lewis. The estimated value of this gift is £400.

On 13 January 2014 I was presented with a copy of the book "From the Land Comes the Cloth" by Harris Tweed Hebrides Ltd, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis. The value of the book is £125.

I am an associate member of Storas Uibhist (South Uist Community Trust) from which I derive no remuneration.

On 5 July 2019 I joined Comunn Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac (Back History Association). I derive no financial benefit from this.

From 3 to 7 July 2009 I visited St. Kilda in my constituency. The National Trust for Scotland (Charlotte Square, Edinburgh) met the costs of my visit which comprised a return helicopter flight from Benbecula to St. Kilda and bunkhouse accommodation on St. Kilda. I estimate the value of the flights and accommodation to be £200.

I own a single £25 share in April 2022 in the Seallam! Hebrides People Visitors’ Centre, a community - owned company in the Isle of Harris. [Registered 10 April 2020]

I am a member of the Robert Burns World Federation, from which I derive no remuneration.

I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.

I own a single £25 non-profit share in Northton Heritage Trust Community Benefit Society in the Isle of Harris. I gain no remuneration from this share, and it represents less than 1% of the company's value. [Registered 28 October 2023]

I am a member of Dualchas Bharraigh (Barra Heritage Society) (Castlebay, Isle of Barra, HS9 5XD). I receive no remuneration for this membership.

I am member of Royal British Legion Scotland. I derive no financial benefits from this membership.

I am a member of Amnesty International from which I derive no remuneration.

I am a member of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- proliferation and Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.

On 3 July 2010 I visited Grimersta Lodge (Uig, Isle of Lewis), in my constituency. The visit included a day’s fishing. The costs of the fishing (£300) were met by Grimersta Lodge.

In June 2022, I appeared at the Borders Book Festival. My fee of £175 was paid direct to Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative. [Registered 27 June 2022]

I am a member of the Norwegian Scottish Association in Edinburgh. I gain no financial benefit from this membership.

I am a member of the Harris Development Trust from which I derive no remuneration.

I am a member of Comunn Eachdraidh Eiriosgaidh (Eriskay Historical Society) (c/o the community hall, Eriskay). I receive no remuneration for this membership.

In September 2021, ThunderPoint Publishing are due to publish my book “Tweed Rins tae the Ocean”. Any royalties due to me are being divided equally between two charities. These are the Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative and the Maimi Martin Fund (which provides education for girls in Malawi). Any monies will be paid directly by the publishers to the charities.

Since 2016 I have been an honorary patron of the Helping Hand Trust, Scotland (a trust which is seeking to promote the Norwegian community and their culture in Scotland and to develop friendly ties between the two countries, through activities in and around the former Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Leith). I derive no financial gain from this connection.

In 2014 I ran a Christmas card competition in local schools at my own expense. I offset the costs with the following donations from local businesses: Hebrides Art Ltd, Isle of Harris (£50); Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Isle of Lewis (£50); Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris (£50); Alex Martin Builders, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£50); and Ardhasaig filling station, Isle of Harris (£20).

In December 2023, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card. I received the following sponsorship to help offset the costs of printing, etc: £100 from Ken MacDonald and co, Stornoway, £100 from Essence of Harris Ltd, and £20 from Greenall Odell Studio. [Registered 30 November 2023]

In 2015 I ran a competition in local schools for a design for my Christmas card. The costs of printing were offset by sponsorship from: AJ Martin Builders Ltd, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£60); Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (£50); and Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris (£50).

On Friday 20 July 2018 I visited the Shiant Isles to see the work undertaken by a seabird recovery project. This visit was organised and facilitated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland. The total cost was £60 and this was paid for by the ‘Shiant Isles Restoration Project’. The project is an EU LIFE funding project, delivered by Scottish Natural Heritage and RSPB Scotland.

In 2012 I ran a competition in local schools for a design for my Christmas card. The costs of printing were offset by sponsorship from: Rodel Hotel, Rodel, Isle of Harris (£50); Luskentyre Harris Tweed Ltd, Luskentyre, Isle of Harris (£25); AMK Plant and Tipper Hire Ltd, 4 New Park, Callanish, Isle of Lewis (£25); Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Island Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (£50); Alex Martin Builders, 55 Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£50); and Isle of Barra Beach Hotel, Tangasdale, Isle of Barra (£50).

In 2016 I ran a Christmas card competition in local schools, and offset the cost of printing, etc, through donations from the following local companies: £250 from the Crown Hotel, Stornoway, £100 from Harris Tweed Hebrides, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, £50 from Alex Martin Builders, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis, £30 from Scarista House Hotel, Isle of Harris, and £30 from WJ MacDonald Butchers, Stornoway.

In 2020, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card and received the following sponsorship to partially offset costs for printing, etc. The donations received were as follows: The Scottish Salmon Company, Isle of Lewis, £100.00; Ken MacDonald Lawyers and Estate Agents, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, £50.00; Hebridean Tea Store, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, £50; The Island Spirit Whisky Shop, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, £40. For one further sponsor of this competition, see the “gifts” section of the register.

I am a member of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. I derive no financial benefit from this.

In 2013 I ran a competition in local schools for a design for my Christmas card. The costs of printing were offset by sponsorship from: Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Isle of Lewis (£50); SBA architects, Stornoway (£25); Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris (£50); Macleod Garages Stornoway (£40); Hebrides Art Ltd, Isle of Harris (£50); and Alex Martin Builders Ltd, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£100).

In 2018 I organised a Christmas card competition in local schools. A number of local firms contributed towards offsetting my costs of doing this, though this year, I gave 50% of the below donations to the Iolaire centenary commemoration fund. The donations received were as follows: Creagorry Motors, Isle of Benbecula £200; Luskentyre Harris Tweed Company, Isle of Harris £50; Ken MacDonald and Co, Estate Agents, Isle of Lewis, £50; AJ Martin Builders, Isle of Lewis £50; Mr Alan Brown, £100; Harris Tweed Hebrides, Isle of Lewis, £100.

I am a member of the Saltire Society, from which I derive no remuneration.

In 2021, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card. The costs of printing, etc, were offset by three donations: S.R. Smile, (Castleview Dental Practice), Stornoway £100, Ken MacDonald & Co Solicitors, Stornoway £100 and Bob Golland Heating Services, Isle of Lewis £40. [Registered 5 December 2021]

In 2019 I ran a competition among schools in my constituency to design my official Christmas card. I received the following amounts of sponsorship: Horshader Community Development Trust - £250; Hebridean Energy - £100; Bob Golland Plumbing and Heating - £40; Ken MacDonald & Co - £100; and The Blue Pig Studio, Carloway - £50

On 11 October 2008 and 16 May 2009 I received dinner, bed and breakfast at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, Isle of Harris. The castle was not open to the public at the time but I estimate the value of this to be £250 on each occasion.

I have a £25 share in Buth Tholastadh (the shop, Tolsta, Isle of Lewis). This is a community owned shop from which I derive no remuneration.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Alasdair Allan has said in Parliament

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: 26 June 2025

Visitor Levy (Reported Delays)

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "The Government’s recent consultation on a cruise ship levy included the option of a port-of-entry model, which has been welcomed by the tourist sector in the islands…

Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2025

Rural Museums

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "As the cabinet secretary might be aware, Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath, which is one of the many excellent and very active historical societies in my constituency, is working to open a new heritage hub at sgoil Chàirinis…

Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2025

Historical Policies Affecting Gypsy Traveller Communities

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "I warmly welcome the First Minister’s recognition of the grievous wrongs that have undoubtedly been done to the Gypsy Traveller community over the decades and the national apology that he has just made…

Chamber meeting date: 19 June 2025

Public Service Reform Strategy

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "As the minister is aware, change on this scale must bring everyone with it, including island communities…

Chamber meeting date: 17 June 2025

Scottish Languages Bill

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "A bheil an Leas-Phrìomh Ministear ag aontachadh nach eil e dìreach a’ dèanamh ciall gu bheil daoine no dhà bho àm gu àm ag ràdh nach iad an aghaidh na Gàidhlig ach dìreach gu bheil iad an aghaidh a’ Ghàidhlig fhaicinn…

Votes

How Alasdair Allan has voted in Parliament

Find out how Alasdair Allan has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-16789

Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 27, 2025

Result 64 for, 1 against, 53 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP abstained

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-16892

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025

Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Result 91 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-16960

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Result 90 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-16942

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Result 70 for, 0 against, 50 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-16923

Scotland – A Fair Trade Nation

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Result 108 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Alasdair Allan has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S6F-03232

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:1 May 2028

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 May 2028

"To ask the First Minister test for the BB selected and lodged on 1st may."

Question reference: S6O-04621

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:12 November 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government test"

Question reference: S6O-04129

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:28 October 2024

Question reference: S6O-04074

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:12 October 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in reforming the female custodial estate"

Question reference: S6O-04057

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:12 October 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the reported reduction in the number of legal aid solicitors."

Question reference: S6W-29048

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:7 October 2024

Current Status: Answer expected on 4 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government test"

Question reference: S6W-28618

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:29 August 2024

Current Status: Answer expected on 27 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government test 2"

Question reference: S6W-28617

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:29 August 2024

Current Status: Answer expected on 27 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government test"

Question reference: S6W-28620

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:29 August 2024

Current Status: Answer expected on 27 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government"

Question reference: S6W-28619

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged:29 August 2024

Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 August 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government test"

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