Alasdair Allan

Donald MacKinnon, right, with Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie during last year's lambing season

MSP hopeful passes up own fundraiser with Chancellor for his sheep

The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. Picture: PA

Exclusive Former Scottish Labour minister loses MSP selection contest

A platform in the North Sea, around 100 miles east of Aberdeen.

SNP accused of burying heads in the sand over North Sea 'emergency'

The public will no longer face legal requirements to replace gas boilers

SNP scraps gas boiler ban amid fears heat pump push 'burdening' public

The first total not spot area as part of the Shared Rural Network programme has been switched on in South Uist

Island gets widespread 4G after mast turned on

Wood burners and open fires are the second biggest source of small particle air pollution in the UK

Wood burner ban U-turn as SNP confirms 'climbdown' on stoves

Gaelic road signs in Bernerary in the Western Isles where less than half the population now speaks Gaelic. PIC: Colin Smith/Creative Commons.

Gaelic speakers now in minority in Outer Hebrides for the first time

Tha a’ Ghàidhlig 'aig crois rathaid riatanach'

Feumaidh Bile nan Cànan a bhith gu math nas treasa na tha i

Aberdeen University King's College building

Scottish Government tells Aberdeen University to 'carefully consider' cuts

Aberdeen University King's College building

Former SNP languages minister condemns Aberdeen University degree and staff cuts

HPMAs have caused widespread controversy

Six SNP MSPs rebel against Scottish Government over marine protection areas

SNP MSP Fergus Ewing rips up up a consultation document on controversial highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) during a debate in the Scottish Parliament

SNP backbenchers raise local fury at HPMAs as former minister rips up proposals

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan said housing is the big factor in retaining people on the island (Jane Barlow/PA)

Western Isles sees substantial drop in birth rate

CalMac service between Stornoway and Ullapool resumes service after days of cancellations

Sailings between Stornoway and Ullapool resume following days of cancellations

MV Loch Seaforth berthed in Ullapool harbour in 2015

'I am absolutely sick of it' - Islanders despair over latest CalMac chaos

Residents of Great Bernera have been been trying to buy the island from its absentee German landlord for more than a decade. PIC: Walter Baxter/geograph.org

More 'legal muscle' needed to help islanders buy out absentee German landlord

The house for sale in Daliburgh, South Uist (pictured) will not be available to those seeking to buy a holiday or second home. PIC: Barbara Carr/geograph.org/CC.

Holiday home hunters blocked from buying property in new move for island market

MV Loch Seaforth is CalMac's newest and largest ferry.

CalMac’s newest ferry breakdown caused by parts that should have been replaced

MV Loch Seaforth is CalMac's newest and largest ferry

CalMac ferry breakdown ‘intolerable’ for islanders - minister

SNP candidate Alasdair Allan has retained his seat

SNP gains more votes in Western Isles than 2016 poll

The Isle of Rum, Scotland.

Residents offered £50,000 to stay or move to island communities in SNP proposals

The SNP has outlined plans to boost Gaelic schools.

SNP plans to make all of Scotland a Gaelic speaking country

SNP members of the Salmond Inquiry have criticised the conduct of opposition MSPs.

SNP members blast 'overt politicisation' by opposition inquiry MSPs

SNP MSPs on the Salmond Inquiry have hit out at leaks from the committee

Inquiry MSPs accused of 'railroading through their prejudiced assertions'

Castlebay, Barra

'We've been waiting, it was always going to come' - Covid-19 arrives on Barra

The new policy from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - the council for the Western Isles - will see Gaelic become the "default" language for pupils for the first time in some of Scotland's schools.

MSPs demand apology for 'highly offensive' Tory comments on Gaelic education

The EU flag will stop flying outside Holyrood

Scottish Parliament to stop flying EU flag

Stornoway Harbour. Picture: TSPL

New Airbnb rules 'may hinder' tourism economy on Scotland's Western Isles

The wreckage of HMY Iolaire will now be designated a war grave.

First World War ship which sank off Hebrides to be named war grave

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Western Isles Air Discount Scheme renewed

MSP Alasdair Allan

MSP seeks assurances on St Brendan’s Hospital

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan.

MSP seeks assurances on St Brendan’s Hospital

Mr Salmond strongly refutes the claims made against him. Picture: SWNS

Four former SNP ministers put forward for Alex Salmond complaints committee

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan.

Western Isles MSP calls on conservatives not to break manifesto pledge on TV lic...

Concern about rising Domestic Abuse figures in the Western Isles and changes to ...

Tories can't be trusted on fishing says Western Isles MSP

A summit meeting in Uist was chaired by Western Isles MSP, Dr Alasdair Allan, and attended by the Scottish Government Minister with portfolio responsibility for ferries and islands, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, CalMac, the Comhairle, HIE and local business and community leaders. The meeting discussed the disruption and timetable changes to ferry services in the Uists over the last year.

Ferries to take Islay's whisky to the mainland highlighted and a call for dedica...

There is mounting pressure to find a freight vessel to relieve the pressure on the MV Loch Seaforth, which services the Stornoway to Ullapool route.

Flicker of hope for a Stornoway freight vessel

Scots are now among the most prolific users of green energy in Europe, beating renewable powerhouse nations like Denmark and Germany. Picture: John Devlin.

Scots fourth in European green energy usage league

Shona Robison is leaving Nicola Sturgeon's (right) cabinet.

Scottish Government Reshuffle: Shona Robison leaves Health Secretary job

Robert Burns holds 'a continued and growing fascination for a worldwide audience'.

Robert Burns' value to Scots economy to be studied by academics

Malawi's President Peter Mutharika . Picture: AMOS GUMULIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Scottish links with Malawi get Â£150k funding boost
Scotland's historic links with Malawi are to be further strengthened with the announcement of a Â£150,000 funding deal to boost healthcare in the African nation...

Kate Forbes delivers an entire Holyrood speech in Gaelic. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

SNP MSP delivers entire Holyrood speech in Gaelic

Scotlands population reached a record high in June 2016 but there are concerns a cut in migration figures would see the level drop.
Picture: John Devlin

Will Scotland's population shrink without its own migration system?

Extra Glasgow-Barra flights added over summer. Pic: Contributed

Extra Glasgow to Barra flights added over summer

Penny Lawrence resigned after the scandal

Minister in talks with Oxfam Scotland after prostitution scandal

International Development Minister Alasdair Allan said: "Our Humanitarian Emergency Fund aims to provide emergency life-saving aid to those in most need." Pictre: Jon Savage

Scottish Government pledges Â£293k for DR Congo humanitarian projects

International development minister Alasdair Allan announced the Scottish Government was backing the Livingstone Fellowship Scheme,

Zambian doctors to be offered training in Scotland

RBS are closing 62 branches, including the only existing bank on the Isle of Barra.

Barra will get to keep RBS ATM, but branch closure going ahead

MSPs have backed calls for a differentiated and flexible immigration system for Scotland. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

MSPs back calls for immigration to be devolved to Holyrood

EU workers make large contribution to the Scottish economy, report states.

Scotland's EU migrants contribute over Â£4 billion each year

Motorhome tourism has increased tenfold in the past decade, bringing welcome revenue to remote Scottish communities but causing strain on local infrastructure.

Ilona Amos: Instead of putting up a '˜full' sign, we need sustainable tourism

Europe Minister Alasdair Allan, who has said that close relationships between Scotland and its Nordic neighbours have become more important in the wake of Brexit. Picture; PA

Scotland should look to '˜Nordic neighbours' post-Brexit

Stornoway has seen an increase of motorhome users. Picture: Contributed

Islands MSP suggests '˜motorhome levy' for campervan tourists

All children must be supported to reach their full potential

Kenny Boyle: Don't let children with Additional Support Needs be left behind

Sam Landsburgh from Edinburgh helps to launch Norwegians new routes from the citys airport. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Norwegian to launch cheap flights from Edinburgh-California

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Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries