THE Scottish Cabinet is to meet in a picturesque village on the country’s west coast as the government sees the return of a policy which has been frozen since the Covid pandemic.
The public will also be invited to quiz ministers at an event in Inveraray, on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute.
The village, known for being home to the seat of Clan Campbell at Inveraray Castle (below), will host Scotland’s top Government ministers as the “Travelling Cabinet” programme resumes.
Members of the public can also sign up to attend a public meeting with the Cabinet on Monday October 2, with a question and answer session to be followed by “light refreshments”.
The Scottish Government said it will be the 51st time that a Travelling Cabinet has been held, with the policy having been launched in 2008.
The most recent event was in Stirling in 2019 before a now four-year pause was precipitated by the Covid pandemic.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf said: “As First Minister, I am looking forward to getting out and about with the Cabinet to meet people in and around Inveraray and listen to their views.
“I’ll be laying out my vision to boost growth, reduce poverty and build a more equal and just society, and look forward to discussing with the people of Argyll and Bute how to achieve this within their local communities.
READ MORE: How a Scottish town helped Black Mirror reflect on true crime horrors
“This will be the first of many more Cabinet public discussion events I intend to host, providing an opportunity for local people to engage directly with Ministers and to help shape and inform Government decision making.
“Your voice is important and it is vital it is heard – I’m really looking forward to listening to and engaging with the people of Argyll and Bute during this Travelling Cabinet session.”
The high street at Inveraray is known for its white terraces
The Government has created an Eventbrite page where people can sign up to attend the public session, which will be held at the Inveraray Inn from 14:30 to 1600. Audience members will then “be invited to join members of the Cabinet for light refreshments” for one hour.
The Cabinet meeting will take place at the Inveraray Parish Church beforehand.
The Government said there will be security measures in place including a need to prove name and address on entry (with ID such as a driving licence) and all bags searched.
You can sign up to attend the event here.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here