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Portrait of Gordon MacDonald

Photo © Scottish Parliament

Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Gordon MacDonald

Unknown party

At a glance Gordon MacDonald was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Votes cast2,601
Attendance90%
Voted For1,505
Voted Against1,073

Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Gordon MacDonald did not vote in 233.

Voting recordlatest 15 shown

The most recent divisions Gordon MacDonald voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.

See full voting record

Questions269 tabled

Gordon MacDonald has tabled 269 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Government how proposed changes to deer management policy will affect land use and biodiversity acr… 25 Feb 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how proposed changes to deer management policy will affect land use and biodiversity across Scotland.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a particularly challenging year for international trade, what ac… 29 Jan 2026 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a particularly challenging year for international trade, what action it has taken to support people and businesses in Scotland in delivering Scotland’s Vision for Trade, and whether it plans to publish a fourth annual report of its progress.

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 30 Jan 2026

I am pleased to announce that the fourth Annual Report of Scotland’s Vision for Trade (the Vision) is being published today. The Vision sets out our strategic approach to trade policy and this report details the progress we have made in the implementation of the Vision since our last report in late 2024. It demonstrates our continued commitment, in what has been a particularly turbulent year, to transparency and accountability in international trade policy making, and to our principle-based approach.The last year has seen a number of shocks to the global economy, set against a background of wider and longer term trends changing the way we trade goods and services globally. Scotland has of course not been immune to the headwinds buffeting economies across the globe.This report details how the First Minister’s mission to grow the economy has been at the forefront of our approach in responding to these developments. In particular, we have taken action to support Scotland’s businesses to be successful globally. That action included influencing the terms of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), engaging directly with President Trump in support of Scotch Whisky and collaborating with the UK Government in tackling market access barriers in the EU and other markets for Scottish exports such as pork, crabs & whisky.In considering the wider impacts of trade, we have pursued our aims for both growth and inclusive trade, for example by taking action to reduce the gender export gap in support of women-led businesses.The report details how we worked constructively with the UK Government in furthering these aims and our shared trade interests. I encourage the UK Government to commit to working with Devolved Governments to navigate these turbulent times together, ensuring that the UK Trade Strategy delivers for the whole of the UKThe publication of this report marks five years since the original publication of the Vision for Trade. A lot has changed in that time, and the report sets out some of the highlights and challenges we have faced, including how we have used our principles to navigate difficult issues and trade-offs.As we look towards the future, there is little to suggest that the challenges will be any less complex. We must continue to build on the legacy of Scotland’s Vision for Trade, building on our successes and continuing to apply our distinct, principled approach to the issues we face.

To ask the Scottish Government how the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 aims to invest in and deliver for Scotland’s… 28 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 aims to invest in and deliver for Scotland’s transport sector.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the Arctic Circle Assembly. 20 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the Arctic Circle Assembly.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what impact recent recruitment initiatives have had on staffing levels across NHS Scotla… 16 Dec 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact recent recruitment initiatives have had on staffing levels across NHS Scotland.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its work to grow Scotland’s economy, whether it wi… 2 Dec 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its work to grow Scotland’s economy, whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the UK Government regarding the Office for Budget Responsibility’s recent economic forecasts.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government when the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability is expected to be rolled out across Scotlan… 25 Nov 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability is expected to be rolled out across Scotland.

Answer · Angela Constance · 3 Dec 2025

I am pleased to say that the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability, known as DESC, completed roll out across all Police Scotland divisions in September 2025. DESC provides a secure platform for collecting, storing, and sharing digital evidence, replacing outdated physical media.DESC has stored over 400,000 pieces of evidence and saved an estimated 55,000 police officer hours, freeing officers for frontline duties. It enables faster case resolution, reduces the need for victims and witnesses to attend court, and improves justice outcomes. DESC is a UK first, delivered through collaboration with Scottish Government and justice partners.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the UK Government regarding the… 12 Nov 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the UK Government regarding the upcoming UK Budget and any implications for Scotland’s public finances.

Awaiting an answer.

See all questions

Motions lodged408 lodged

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Speechesfrom the Official Report

Recent things Gordon MacDonald has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.

19 Mar 2026   First Minister’s Question Time (draft)

George Adam deliberately put me off before I started. Sorry.Constituents in the semi-rural areas of my constituency of Edinburgh Pentlands have expressed concerns that the expansion of suburban developments in rural villages is placing inc…

19 Mar 2026   First Minister’s Question Time (draft)

Constituents in the semi-rural areas of my constituency of Edinburgh Paisley—Laughter. Sorry, I mean Edinburgh Pentlands. This is my last contribution—

4 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

Deer numbers have doubled since the 1990s and the population is estimated to be close to 1 million. Deer are now so numerous that, even in my constituency of Edinburgh Pentlands, there are regular near misses as deer run across the A70. Wi…

4 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government how proposed changes to deer management policy will affect land use and biodiversity across Scotland. (S6O-05583)

5 Feb 2026   Portfolio Question Time

Parking at Curriehill railway station in my constituency has reached capacity at peak times. What investment is planned for rail park-and-ride facilities that are accessible to Pentlands constituents?

5 Feb 2026   Portfolio Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government how the draft Scottish budget 2026-27 aims to invest in and deliver for Scotland’s transport sector. (S6O-05480)

28 Jan 2026   Portfolio Question Time

Given that Scotland is the world’s most northerly non-Arctic nation, what steps is the Scottish Government taking to place Scotland as a link between the Arctic region and the wider world, particularly as a European gateway to the Arctic?

28 Jan 2026   Portfolio Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the Arctic Circle assembly. (S6O-05425)

15 Jan 2026   Additional Support for Learning Review

Parents are carers and have the right to be involved in discussions about the additional support for learning options that are available to their children. Will the cabinet secretary speak further on Scottish Government engagement with fam…

8 Jan 2026   General Question Time

Since September 2006, NHS Scotland’s staffing levels have expanded by approximately 27 per cent, which represents an additional 35,000 staff in whole-time-equivalent terms. How have the improved staffing levels assisted with tackling waiti…

8 Jan 2026   General Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government what impact recent recruitment initiatives have had on staffing levels across NHS Scotland. (S6O-05345)

7 Jan 2026   Income Tax

No—I have only four minutes. The Tory party’s proposal would remove up to £1 billion from the Scottish budget. Currently, Scottish employees who are on the national living wage pay lower income tax than those elsewhere in the UK, as do pe…

7 Jan 2026   Income Tax

Nobody likes paying income tax, or any tax, but I believe that those with the broadest shoulders, including MSPs, should pay a bit more to enable Scotland to spend more on the things that matter most to people—better schools, lower crime r…

10 Dec 2025   Portfolio Question Time

The OBR has updated its growth forecasts for the next five years. It now forecasts average GDP growth to be slower than was projected in March 2025. It also downgraded its forecast for the UK for 2026, 2027 and 2028. In the light of those …

10 Dec 2025   Portfolio Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its work to grow Scotland’s economy, whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the United Kingdom Government regarding the Office for Budget Responsibility’s rec…

4 Dec 2025   Cumbernauld New Town (70th Anniversary)

I thank Jamie Hepburn for securing this important debate to recognise Cumbernauld’s 70th birthday. Many people will be aware that I was born in Glasgow, but, apart from Jamie Hepburn, not many know that I grew up in Cumbernauld from the ag…

27 Nov 2025   Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no, but I could not connect.

27 Nov 2025   First Minister’s Question Time

The Scotch Whisky Association has warned that the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s decision to further increase duty on Scotch whisky will put additional pressure on a sector that is already suffering job losses, stalled investment and busine…

27 Nov 2025   General Question Time

The number of police officers per capita is higher in Scotland than in England and Wales. Will the cabinet secretary provide details of the pressures that Police Scotland faces as a result of the United Kingdom Government’s hike in employe…

19 Nov 2025   Portfolio Question Time

The UK budget will be delivered on 26 November, which is a month later than last year. What impact will that have on the Scottish Government’s ability to plan effectively for 2026-27? Would the cabinet secretary agree that Scotland needs g…

Seat & career3 seats held

Source: this MSP's profile on parliament.scot.

Allowances£9,962 · 2025

2025 (latest published)

Rent£4,958
Utilities£1,521
Office/Window Cleaning£1,060
Telephone Services Costs£985
Advertising£926
Trade Waste£135
Mailing Costs£125
Fire Safety£102
Running Repairs and Maintenance£87
Cleaning/Hygiene Products£42
Staff Mobile Phone Bill£12
Stationery£10

Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)

Contact & offices[email protected]

[email protected]

Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.