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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Celebrating the Life of Songwriter and Bard Robin Laing

  • Submitted by: Clare Adamson, Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
  • Submitting member has a registered interest.

  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-20109

That the Parliament notes with great sadness the passing of Robin Laing, renowned songwriter and Whisky Bard; recognises his long-standing friendship with and contribution to the Scottish Malt Whisky Society, noting that he was an integral part of the Society since its early days, performing his whisky songs and poetry at The Vaults in the early 1990s and joining the Society’s Tasting Panel almost 30 years ago; acknowledges that, through his wit, wisdom and creativity, he was responsible for many memorable bottle names and imaginative tasting notes cherished by whisky lovers across Scotland and beyond; further notes his role as a founder of The Lanarkshire Songwriters, a group he established to bring together writers of all genres and experience levels, and whose many recordings and performances reflect his enduring vision; recognises his recent involvement in Songs from the Grave, a collaboration between the Lanarkshire Songwriters and the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, giving voice to the stories of those buried in the former asylum grounds; expresses its deepest condolences to his family, as well as to his friends, colleagues, fellow musicians and admirers, and celebrates Robin’s extraordinary legacy as a songwriter, performer, poet, whisky ambassador and inspirational creative force whose contribution to Scotland’s cultural life will be profoundly missed.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Annie Wells, Brian Whittle