Photo © Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Ariane Burgess
Scottish Green Party · Member for Highlands and Islands (region)
At a glance Ariane Burgess is a Scottish Green Party regional Member of the Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands (region).
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Ariane Burgess did not vote in 46. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out. At Holyrood an abstention is a deliberate recorded vote, distinct from not voting at all.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Committees
- Climate Action Committee Deputy Convener
Voting record
The most recent divisions Ariane Burgess voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | For |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | For |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | National Security (State Threats) Bill – UK Legislation | Abstain |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill - UK Legislation | Abstain |
| 17 Jun 2026 | Affordable Bus Fares | Against |
Register of interests
From the Scottish Parliament's Register of Interests. Shown as registered; nothing is added or interpreted.
Controlled transactions1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Gifts1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Heritable property1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Interest in shares1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Overseas visits1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Remuneration and related undertaking1
- I published a book with Inner Traditions International Ltd, (of 1 Park Row, Rochester, Vermont, 05767, USA), a publishing house. I expect to receive remuneration of up to £500 per annum. This remuneration represents royalties for a book written prior to my election. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Voluntary1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 21 May 2026)
Questions
Ariane Burgess has tabled 646 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its investigation into the pollution incident that …
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its investigation into the pollution incident that took place at Loch Hourn in April 2025; including (a) whether the analysis of sediment samples has been completed, (b) if not, what is causing the delay, and (c) when it expects the final investigation report to be published.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether inheritance law contributes to any monopolisation…
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether inheritance law contributes to any monopolisation of land ownership in Scotland.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform inheritance law in Scotland.
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform inheritance law in Scotland.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Scottish Land Commission's July 2026 report, Learning…
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Scottish Land Commission's July 2026 report, Learning from international cadastral systems for transparency, tax, and valuation.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve transparency regarding which (a) individuals, (b) or…
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve transparency regarding which (a) individuals, (b) organisations and (c) other entities receive public subsidies for (i) forestry, (ii) farming, (iii) nature restoration and (iv) other land use and the quality of the outputs generated by these subsidies.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve transparency regarding who receives public subsidies…
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve transparency regarding who receives public subsidies for (a) forestry, (b) farming, (c) nature restoration and (d) other land use in the current parliamentary session.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking towards introducing a cadastral system for recording and managin…
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking towards introducing a cadastral system for recording and managing information about land ownership and what the timeline for this is.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve transport infrastructure to ensure that outdoor space…
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve transport infrastructure to ensure that outdoor spaces are accessible and affordable for (a) disabled people and (b) minority ethnic groups.
Awaiting an answer.
Motions lodged
| 1 Jul 2026 | UHI Joins Global Planetary Health Alliance Network | 9 sig. |
| 18 Jun 2026 | Recognising Concerns Over Hyperscale Data Centre Plans | 13 sig. |
| 29 May 2026 | Celebrating Community Rail Partnerships in the Highlands | 15 sig. |
| 28 May 2026 | Scotland at the Heart of Global Salmon Conservation | 13 sig. |
| 28 May 2026 | Scotland's Wild Atlantic Salmon is An Icon in Peril | 13 sig. |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Celebrating Commonwealth Day 2026 | 2 sig. |
Speeches
Recent things Ariane Burgess has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
23 Jun 2026 Climate Change (draft)
I started working on climate change and nature restoration in New York City in the 1990s. When I came back to live in Scotland, I was heartened, because I had arrived in a country where the people, through the Parliament and the Government…
23 Jun 2026 First Minister’s Question Time (draft)
Today, coastal communities and marine experts gathered outside the Parliament to demand urgent action to protect Scotland’s precious marine environment. Last year, the Scottish Government delayed a consultation on the implementation of man…
17 Jun 2026 Bus Fares (draft)
Not to overegg it, but the Greens very constructively negotiated the £2 single bus fare cap pilot in a previous budget. It was an incredible example of constructive negotiations, and an example of how we will seek to work throughout this p…
17 Jun 2026 Bus Fares (draft)
Not to overegg it, but the Greens very constructively negotiated the £2 single bus fare cap pilot in a previous budget. It was an incredible example of constructive negotiations, and an example of how we will seek to work throughout this p…
9 Jun 2026 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2024 (draft)
I welcome the cabinet secretary to her role, which brings together climate action and rural affairs.The cabinet secretary mentioned the important role that our farmers and crofters must play in reducing emissions by increasing tree plantin…
4 Jun 2026 General Question Time (draft)
My constituents in Tighnabruaich want to swim in and restore the sea on their doorstep, but a broken sewage system is making the water too toxic to enter. Will the minister agree to visit Tighnabruaich with me to see the situation for hers…
4 Jun 2026 General Question Time (draft)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the growing number of people swimming in Scotland’s waters and the United Kingdom Government bringing forward a Clean Water Bill, what consideration is being given to introducing equivalent legis…
19 May 2026 First Minister (draft)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I pressed my button in error, so that can be disregarded.
14 May 2026 Oaths and Affirmations (draft)
I, Ariane Burgess, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.Nam bheachdsa, tha muinntir na h-Alba uachdara…
25 Mar 2026 Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability) (draft)
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for bringing this debate on rural issues to the chamber. Before I contribute to it, however, I would like to pay tribute to several members who will not be back in May. It has been a pleasure to work with Mair…
25 Mar 2026 Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for bringing this debate on rural issues to the chamber. Before I contribute to it, however, I would like to pay tribute to several members who will not be back in May. It has been a pleasure to work with Mair…
24 Mar 2026 Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
I pay tribute to some of the members who have spoken today and who are stepping down. I hope that I do not pick up the tears that my colleague Edward Mountain has brought into the chamber—that depth of feeling. Although we may come from v…
24 Mar 2026 Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
Crofting is a vital part of Scotland’s cultural and social heritage, as well as its future. It is a social and economic glue that holds rural and island communities together, offering us a template for low-impact land management that, if a…
24 Mar 2026 Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill (draft)
Before I get to my points about the bill, I will say a few words about some of my colleagues who are speaking in the chamber for the final time. I came to know Evelyn Tweed as a member of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committe…
24 Mar 2026 Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill (draft)
This amendment bill is, at its heart, a technical piece of legislation that will make what we put in place through the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 more workable on the ground. In particular, it will give councils greater flexibility b…
19 Mar 2026 Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
I have nothing further to add. I press amendment 28.
19 Mar 2026 Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
The merger of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland is welcome. It will bring greater clarity and consistency to how land-related matters are handled. As part of the changes, matters concerning access rights will tran…
19 Mar 2026 Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
I express my thanks to the minister for taking on board the amendments that Tim Eagle and I lodged at stage 2 and amalgamating them into amendment 26 at this stage. It is vital that the next Government and session 7’s cohort of MSPs take a…
19 Mar 2026 Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
I will speak to Edward Mountain’s amendments 48, 49 and 50. It is a helpful step for everyone who is involved with common grazings that ministers should consult with experts to achieve better guidance.That is a useful backstop to amendment…
19 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
The assessment makes it clear that our way of life is overly reliant on nations and regions that are at risk of near-future ecosystems collapse. It states that we, too, face such a collapse.The report says that “major intervention” is need…
Seat & career
- Highlands and Islands (region) Regional MSP 7 May 2026 – present
- Highlands and Islands (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 6 May 2021 – 8 Apr 2026
Allowances
2025 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Contact & offices
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.