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
Email: [email protected]
Website: alasdairallan.scot
X (previously known as Twitter): @alasdairallan
Facebook: Alasdair's facebook
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
Alasdair is a member of 2 committees
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Alasdair is a member of 9 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fisheries and Coastal Communities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gaelic
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on International Development
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nordic Countries
Deputy Convener
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 12 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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
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 Dualchas Bharraigh (Barra Heritage Society) (Castlebay, Isle of Barra, HS9 5XD). I receive no remuneration for this membership.
I am a member of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- proliferation and Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.
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 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).
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.
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.
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]
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).
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.
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.
On 5 July 2019 I joined Comunn Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac (Back History Association). I derive no financial benefit from this.
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 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.
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]
I am a member of the Robert Burns World Federation, from which I derive no remuneration.
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.
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 am a member of Amnesty International 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 Uist Wool, from which I receive no financial or other benefit.
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.
I am an associate member of Storas Uibhist (South Uist Community Trust) from which I derive no remuneration.
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 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
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 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 Harris Development Trust from which I derive no remuneration.
I am a member of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. I derive no financial benefit from this.
I am member of Royal British Legion Scotland. I derive no financial benefits from this membership.
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.
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 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 Norwegian Scottish Association in Edinburgh. I gain no financial benefit from this membership.
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.
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 Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.
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).
I am a member of the Saltire Society, from which I derive no remuneration.
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.
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 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]
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: 16 April 2024
New-build Heat Standard
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Given the small but often essential and traditional role that peat plays in heating some of Scotland’s most fuel-poor communities—such as those in my constituency—will the minister say what criteria will be set for an emergency heat system and its fuel sources in relation to the new-build heat standard? I declare an interest of a sort, as I cut…
Chamber meeting date: 16 April 2024
Automated Vehicles Bill
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "It might interest the member to know that one of the reasons why it is so difficult for committees such as the one on which I serve to hear a perspective from the UK Government is that it not only refuses to turn up when it is invited but refuses to answer our letters."
Chamber meeting date: 28 March 2024
Salmon Exports (Impact of Brexit)
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "How does the First Minister respond to reports today that Brexit has cost Scotland up to £100 million a year in salmon exports…
Chamber meeting date: 28 March 2024
Salmon Exports (Impact of Brexit)
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "How does the First Minister respond to reports today that Brexit has cost Scotland up to £100 million a year in salmon exports…
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Notwithstanding the suspicions that Rachael Hamilton has expressed about the reasons for having a framework bill, will she acknowledge that the evidence that we received at committee was overwhelmingly in favour of a framework bill?"
Votes
How Alasdair Allan has voted in Parliament
Find out how Alasdair Allan has voted recently.
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Alexander Burnett, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Pam Gosal, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Liam Kerr, Douglas Ross, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Result 53 for, 61 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s International Culture Strategy
Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, April 15, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Result 29 for, 70 against, 19 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s International Culture Strategy
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, April 15, 2024
Supported by: Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Result 66 for, 29 against, 23 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s International Culture Strategy
Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, April 15, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Result 23 for, 93 against, 1 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Alasdair Allan in Parliament
Find out what motions Alasdair Allan has submitted recently.
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.
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 26 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what estimated works will be necessary at Lochmaddy pier, in light of the expected arrival of newer CalMac vessels."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 April 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 28 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when the next paper in the Building a New Scotland series will be published."
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 29 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 28 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what factors are assessed when determining vessel deployment decisions for Western Isles ferry routes."
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 19 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make on behalf of any small businesses in the Western Isles that are reportedly facing increases of thousands of pounds per week in delivery expenses as a result of a local haulage company being taken over by the multinational company, DFDS."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 15 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to publish an Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, as committed to in the First Minister’s policy prospectus and in the Programme for Government 2023-24."
Answered by Emma Roddick on 16 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the most recent figures published by the Crofting Commission showing an increase in the number of new entrants between March 2022 and March 2023."
Taken in the Chamber on 21 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of the Islands Connectivity Plan Strategic Approach Paper and the Vessels and Ports Plan."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 1 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 31 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what support will be put in place to assist local authorities in establishing "areas of linguistic significance", as set out in the Scottish Languages Bill…
Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24 January 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting local authorities to provide appropriate levels of special educational needs staff for secondary schools to ensure a safe and encouraging learning environment for all pupils."
Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14 December 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its progress so far on and (b) the next steps for its Islands Connectivity Plan."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 January 2024
See all of Alasdair Allan's questions submitted in Parliament