Portrait of Rona Mackay

Photo © Scottish Parliament

Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Rona Mackay

Unknown party

At a glance Rona Mackay was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Votes cast1,996
Attendance69%
Voted For1,168
Voted Against801

Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Rona Mackay did not vote in 20.

Voting recordlatest 15 shown
Questions259 tabled

Rona Mackay has tabled 259 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural… 18 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off-grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the pilot for free rail travel for companions accom… 10 Mar 2026 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the pilot for free rail travel for companions accompanying blind National Entitlement Cardholders (NEC+1), which was launched in April 2025.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 11 Mar 2026

I am pleased to announce that following a positive evaluation from Transport Scotland, I have agreed that free rail travel for companions accompanying blind NEC + 1 cardholders can be made permanent from 1 April 2026.The evaluation found that a significant majority of surveyed cardholders who used the free companion offer, increased their number of journeys on rail, experienced a range of benefits from increased activity and indicated they are less likely to require dedicated staff assistance as a result of travelling with a companion. The final evaluation report can be found at Transport Scotland’s website at;https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/blind-companion-free-rail-travel-pilot-evaluation-report/Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have received overwhelmingly positive feedback to the free companion rail travel pilot scheme. Cardholders and their companions have consistently highlighted the profound impact it has had on their independence, confidence and quality of life.NEC + 1 cardholders and their companion will continue to have the convenience of being waved onto rail services by displaying their card. Free travel is available on all ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services at stations within Scotland and to Carlisle or Berwick Upon Tweed.The 8,000 NEC + 1 cardholders and their companion can now travel free on bus, ferry and rail services across Scotland, this concession is only available in Scotland and not replicated in other parts of Britain, reflecting the choices we can make through public ownership of our own railway.

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards the establishment of a pathway for free dyslexia asses… 16 Feb 2026 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards the establishment of a pathway for free dyslexia assessments at the point of contact for adults.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its recent Fairer Funding pilot, what next steps it will take to strengthen … 5 Feb 2026 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its recent Fairer Funding pilot, what next steps it will take to strengthen work with the third sector across Scotland.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville · 6 Feb 2026

The Scottish Government will work with third sector partners to deliver Scotland’s first ever “Third Sector Partnership” which will further strengthen the role and place of the sector in Scotland. This new Partnership creates a unique and valuable opportunity for government to work more effectively with the sector and build on progress made through our Fairer Funding pilot.The principles underpinning the partnership, in line with those set out by SCVO, will include alignment with Fairer Funding principles, protection of the sector’s independence, outcomes-focussed to reflect shared goals, ensuring accountability and alignment with relevant legislation and strategies. We will work closely with a diverse range of third sector partners to co-design the partnership.We already recognise the essential role played by the third sector in delivering for communities across Scotland everyday. We recently announced a £20 million investment for third sector partners in the draft Budget to deliver the support that people need in their communities, underlining the importance of the government and third sector organisations working to tackle the challenges of the day together. This is in addition to delivering on our Fairer Funding pilot that provides multi-year funding worth £130 million over 2025-2027, prioritising those that deliver frontline services and tackle child poverty.

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the Adult Disability Payment application proce… 3 Feb 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the Adult Disability Payment application process is fully accessible to people with aphasia.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the First Minister how the new measures that the Scottish Government has announced to tackle long-term unemploym… 2 Feb 2026 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the new measures that the Scottish Government has announced to tackle long-term unemployment will support its work to grow Scotland’s economy.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what the immediate economic outcomes were for Scotland's exporters of its recent trade m… 28 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the immediate economic outcomes were for Scotland's exporters of its recent trade mission to the United Arab Emirates.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current occupancy levels and total operational … 21 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current occupancy levels and total operational capacity across the Women’s Community Custody Unit estate.

Awaiting an answer.

See all questions

Motions lodged355 lodged
Speechesfrom the Official Report

Recent things Rona Mackay has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

I thank the cabinet secretary for that welcome response. One of my constituents has seen their heating oil bill triple overnight, has no savings and has been told to wait until April for support that amounts to pennies per household. Does …

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I thank the cabinet secretary for that welcome response. One of my constituents has seen their heating oil bill triple overnight, has no savings and has been told to wait until April for support that amounts to pennies per household. Does …

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off-grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices. (S6O-0571…

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off-grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices. (S6O-0571…

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

I was pleased to see that the Scottish Prison Service has piloted non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques that reduce the risk of injury to staff and prisoners. Can the First Minister assure me that the pilot approach will be ro…

25 Mar 2026   First Minister’s Question Time

I was pleased to see that the Scottish Prison Service has piloted non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques that reduce the risk of injury to staff and prisoners. Can the First Minister assure me that the pilot approach will be ro…

24 Mar 2026   Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Public Protection) (draft)

I am pleased to speak in today’s important debate for many reasons. First, I want to acknowledge the legendary Christine Grahame and her passionate dedication to the cause of animal welfare. There are not many people we can call a legend, …

17 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (draft)

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the day…

17 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the day…

17 Mar 2026   Topical Question Time

What steps is Police Scotland taking to ensure that there is a good recruitment pipeline into our national force? Can the cabinet secretary provide any reassurance that the Scottish Government’s record funding to Police Scotland will maint…

17 Mar 2026   Topical Question Time (draft)

What steps is Police Scotland taking to ensure that there is a good recruitment pipeline into our national force? Can the cabinet secretary provide any reassurance that the Scottish Government’s record funding to Police Scotland will maint…

13 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

I rise to speak against Sue Webber’s amendments 115 and 116. Professor Michael Dooley, who was commissioned by the Government in Australia to research and find the approved substance, wrote to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee an…

13 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

Is the member aware that people who are refused the choice to die with dignity often end up taking their own life anyway? There are multiple instances of that.

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

I will repeat an intervention that I made yesterday. A House of Commons inquiry found no evidence of palliative or end-of-life care deteriorating following the introduction of assisted dying, and it observed that assisted dying often acted…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will repeat an intervention that I made yesterday. A House of Commons inquiry found no evidence of palliative or end-of-life care deteriorating following the introduction of assisted dying, and it observed that assisted dying often acted…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will repeat an intervention that I made yesterday. A House of Commons inquiry found no evidence of palliative or end-of-life care deteriorating following the introduction of assisted dying, and it observed that assisted dying often acted…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

I would argue that giving people access to information is not coercion. Similar restrictions were initially introduced in New Zealand and Australia, but they are now looking to reverse those restrictions because they severely prohibit pati…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I would argue that giving people access to information is not coercion. Similar restrictions were initially introduced in New Zealand and Australia, but they are now looking to reverse those restrictions because they severely prohibit pati…

12 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I would argue that giving people access to information is not coercion. Similar restrictions were initially introduced in New Zealand and Australia, but they are now looking to reverse those restrictions because they severely prohibit pati…

11 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The 14-month House of Commons inquiry found no evidence“of palliative and end-of-life care deteriorating … following the introduction of”assisted dying in other jurisdictions. Indeed, the inquiry observed that it had often acted as a catal…

Seat & career2 seats held

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

Allowances£14,840 · 2025

2025 (latest published)

Hotel£5,898
Rent£4,050
Rent - Service Charges£1,355
Utilities£1,087
Telephone Services Costs£933
Members Mileage£864
Evening Meal£411
Newspaper Subscriptions£160
Living Wage Accreditation£83

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

Contact & offices[email protected]

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