Photo © Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party MSP for Aberdeenshire East
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs
At a glance Gillian Martin is a Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeenshire East.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Gillian Martin did not vote in 117. 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.
Voting record
The most recent divisions Gillian Martin 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 | Against |
| 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 | National Security (State Threats) Bill – UK Legislation | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill - UK Legislation | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 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 | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 17 Jun 2026 | Appointment of Law Officers | For |
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 5 Jun 2026)
Gifts1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 5 Jun 2026)
Heritable property1
- I own a house in Aberdeenshire with a market value of between £50,001 and £100,000. I derive no income from this property. (lodged 5 Jun 2026)
Interest in shares1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 5 Jun 2026)
Overseas visits1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 5 Jun 2026)
Remuneration and related undertaking1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 5 Jun 2026)
Voluntary1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 5 Jun 2026)
Questions
Gillian Martin has tabled 287 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to prevent foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to prevent foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a Menopause Specialist Network.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a Menopause Specialist Network.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling the gender pay gap.
To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling the gender pay gap.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help recovery from adverse childhood experiences.
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help recovery from adverse childhood experiences.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing any impact of the EU Withdrawal Agreement on the seed potato sector…
To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing any impact of the EU Withdrawal Agreement on the seed potato sector.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the graduate visa scheme, wi…
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the graduate visa scheme, with a view to allowing overseas nationals to remain in Scotland for longer than two years after successfully completing a course.
Answer · Neil Gray · 12 Dec 2022
Scotland needs a system that supports our higher education sector to deliver the best learning, research and experience for those who choose to study in Scotland. The reinstatement of the Graduate Route was welcome but the scope must also be widened to include HND qualifications from Scottish institutions as was under the previous post-study work scheme and Fresh Talent. it remains clear that UK immigration system still does not address Scotland’s economic, demographic and social needs. We will continue to push UK Ministers to engage meaningfully on these issues.
To ask the First Minister what impact any proposed reduction in the number of overseas student visas will have on Scott…
To ask the First Minister what impact any proposed reduction in the number of overseas student visas will have on Scottish universities.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the A96 appraisal.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the A96 appraisal.
Awaiting an answer.
Motions lodged
| 22 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | 1 sig. |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Appointment of Board Member to Environmental Standards Scotland | 1 sig. |
| 28 Jan 2026 | Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Amendment Order 2026 [draft] | 1 sig. |
| 28 Jan 2026 | Public Services Reform (Scottish Water) Order 2026 [draft] | 1 sig. |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill | 2 sig. |
| 15 Jan 2026 | Conservation of Habitats and Species (Offshore Wind) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] | 1 sig. |
Speeches
Recent things Gillian Martin has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Following the passing of the 2026 act in the previous parliamentary session, all aspects of the act are being progressed by Mr Fairlie and me.First, I put on record my thanks, as David Green did, to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
The Scottish Government’s wildfires strategic action plan sets out a partnership approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires. Local authorities, national park authorities and public bodies proactively promote responsi…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Clare Adamson is absolutely right: prevention is key. Following on from the good work that was done on the wildfires strategy in the previous parliamentary session by Jim Fairlie and by Siobhian Brown, the former Minister for Victims and C…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Responding to wildfires and vegetation fires is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which ensures that any specialist resources are utilised in the most appropriate way to safely respond to incidents. As the exp…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Obviously, that question strays into Mr McKee’s domain. I will take some of the members’ questions on planning regulations to Mr McKee, and he will see in the Official Report what members have been asking for today. I will play my part wit…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
As Julie MacDougall said, the AI growth zone is a UK Government initiative, and that initiative has resulted in speculation in the areas that were designated as growth zones, as in Lanarkshire. Our stance on the growth zone initiative is t…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Graham Simpson is right that the UK Government announcing the AI growth zone in Lanarkshire has meant that there is an awful lot of speculation at the moment. Many of the speculative projects will not even make it to the planning stage.The…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
The answer is, in general, yes. Data centres and developments that bring employment opportunities and investment to Scotland are welcome, but they must dovetail with our other national priorities. If the associated environmental impact doe…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
It is essential that proper consultation is undertaken with residents, regardless of the development.There has been a lot of speculation on data centres, particularly since the UK Government announced Scotland’s AI growth zone in Lanarkshi…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
I will be honest: I will not support a moratorium on that, because we feel that planning regulations are already in place for any development, whether it is a data centre or another development, and that a lot of work is ongoing in relatio…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
I am aware that local authorities and planning departments are calling for a little more clarity. In the AI strategy, we already committed to publishing guidance on what factors are prevalent in a green data centre. Planning authorities mi…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Alan Brown will have heard my answers to previous questions on the issue of a cumulative assessment. We are taking a whole-system approach to understanding the full implications of data centre developments, including, as Alan Brown mention…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
I am sure that Gary Bouse will appreciate that I cannot comment on planning applications and particular developments, and I do not think that he would expect me to.I recognise that, in general, hyperscale artificial intelligence data centr…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
I need to apologise, because I am going to be giving similar answers to a lot of questions as they are exactly the same. As I said, the Scottish Government is building an understanding of the environmental impacts associated with the const…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
In my answer, I did not say just industry—I said industry and other partners, which involves local authorities as well. I am getting a lot of correspondence from new MSPs on the issue, and a number of questions today as well.One of the iss…
24 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
The Scottish Government has not undertaken a wholly national assessment of the remit that the member specifically outlines on data centres. However, we are currently engaging with industry and partner agencies to better understand the cumu…
23 Jun 2026 Climate Change (draft)
I believe that I am in my last minute.A few people mentioned CARES funding. There is £15 million annually to keep up with rising demand, but we are also taking action in getting communities to be available to bid for repowering schemes. Fo…
23 Jun 2026 Climate Change (draft)
I have worked well with Finlay Carson, on the whole. We had a very constructive meeting last week, I thought. However, I will not be called dishonest in the chamber. I have already set out that there is £57 million in forestry grant for 20…
23 Jun 2026 Climate Change (draft)
Thank you, Mr Carson—
23 Jun 2026 Climate Change (draft)
Heat networks will be the solution for a lot of urban areas and towns in Scotland, but they will not be the solution for everyone. If we can install more heat networks in the highly populated areas, we will be able to use some of the Gover…
Seat & career
- Aberdeenshire East Constituency MSP 7 May 2026 – present
- Aberdeenshire East Constituency MSP · Dissolution 6 May 2021 – 8 Apr 2026
- Aberdeenshire East Constituency MSP · Dissolution 5 May 2016 – 4 May 2021
Allowances
2025 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Contact & offices
Constituency
Suite A, Unit 6, Colpy Business Park, Oldmeldrum, AB51 0FU
Parliamentary
The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.