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 at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 01851 700357
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
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 3 committees
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Alasdair is a member of 6 cross-party groups
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 9 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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
20 May 2010 - 22 March 2011
Education Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee
Member
14 June 2007 - 22 March 2011
Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee
Substitute 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 Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. I derive no financial benefit from this.
I am a member of Dualchas Bharraigh (Barra Heritage Society) (Castlebay, Isle of Barra, HS9 5XD). I receive no remuneration for this membership.
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.
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.
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 a member of Amnesty International from which I derive no remuneration.
I am an associate member of Storas Uibhist (South Uist Community Trust) from which I derive no remuneration.
I am a member of Uist Wool, from which I receive no financial or other benefit.
I am a member of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- proliferation and Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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 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 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 am a member of the Saltire Society, from which I derive no remuneration.
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).
I am member of Royal British Legion Scotland. I derive no financial benefits from this membership.
I am a member of the Harris Development Trust from which I derive no remuneration.
I am a member of the Robert Burns World Federation, 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 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 Norwegian Scottish Association in Edinburgh. I gain no financial benefit from this membership.
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.
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
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.
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.
On 5 July 2019 I joined Comunn Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac (Back History Association). I derive no financial benefit from this.
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 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]
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: 13 January 2022
Island Economies (Support)
Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Clearly, supporting business has a key role to play in supporting island economies and communities. What is the Scottish Government doing to ensure that the planned funding is being delivered timeously?"
Chamber meeting date: 12 January 2022
Electricity Levy Schemes (North of Scotland)
7. Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to change electricity levy schemes to tackle fuel poverty in rural and island areas of the north of Scotland. (S6O-00606)"
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee meeting date: 12 January 2022
Budget Scrutiny 2022-23
Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "You mentioned the Scottish Government’s commitment to maintaining payments and some difficulties, shall we say, about the UK’s commitment at the other end of the balance sheet…
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee meeting date: 12 January 2022
Impact of European Union Exit
Dr Allan: "We have rightly talked for a while about the legislative and constitutional fallout from Brexit. I will ask a little about the economic consequences in rural Scotland, particularly the impact on population in rural areas…
Chamber meeting date: 22 December 2021
Dumfries City Status
Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Will the member take an intervention?"
Votes
How Alasdair Allan has voted in Parliament
Find out how Alasdair Allan has voted recently.
Tackling Drug Related Deaths Through the First Year of the National Mission
Submitted by: Sue Webber, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 13, 2022
Result 34 for, 70 against, 19 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Tackling Drug Related Deaths Through the First Year of the National Mission
Submitted by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, January 13, 2022
Result 23 for, 100 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Care Services
Submitted by: Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Supported by: Sharon Dowey, Stephen Kerr
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Result 34 for, 89 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Care Services
Submitted by: Carol Mochan, South Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Result 55 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Care Services
Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Result 54 for, 69 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Alasdair Allan in Parliament
Find out what motions Alasdair Allan has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Alasdair Allan has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 22 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government by what date its review of arrangements for the provision of financial support for patient travel will commence."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 24 December 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 20 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that only a small amount of people have engaged a local provider to apply for their R100 interim voucher, what communication it has made with eligible households in the Western Isles to inform them of the impending deadline for doing so."
Answered by: Kate Forbes on 24 December 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 23 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that adequate transport links to the Isle of Harris are maintained during (a) 2022 and (b) the shoulder months while the Uig Harbour upgrade takes place."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 9 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how a commissioning model for the National Care Service would account for a situation where the majority of services available to commission are those provided by one organisation, for example, by a local authority."
Answered by: Kevin Stewart on 20 December 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 10 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff."
Answered by: Angus Robertson on 13 December 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what areas of activity of David MacBrayne Ltd and CalMac Ferries would typically be considered appropriate for an Island Communities Impact Assessment under the duties of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018."
Answered by: Graeme Dey on 8 December 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to the UK Government in response to reports that some businesses in Scotland are facing difficulties supplying smoked salmon direct to customers in the EU via mail order, with shipments, sometimes with accompanying health certificates, being delayed or rejected by customs officials, in…
Answered by: Mairi Gougeon on 3 December 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 5 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to help address the reported concerns of people living in Uig, Lewis, regarding mobile signal and 4G access, in light of reports of difficulties in getting EE to facilitate repairs to their local masts more timeously."
Answered by: Kate Forbes on 15 November 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 1 November 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government when local authorities will be informed of the Scottish Crown Estate Net Revenue allocation for 2021-22."
Answered by: Mairi McAllan on 9 November 2021
Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 September 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to townships that are trying to improve the condition of their primary road to a point where it can be adopted by the local authority."
Answered by: Graeme Dey on 26 October 2021
See all of Alasdair Allan's written questions submitted in Parliament