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Publication - Transparency data

Special advisers' gifts, hospitality, media meetings and expenses: October-December 2025

Published
20 February 2026
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information about gifts and hospitality received by special advisers, special advisers' meetings with newspaper and media proprietors, editors and senior executives, and expenses.

Part of

Gifts 

None.

Hospitality

Name of Special Advisor Name of organisation Value (£15-£30 or £30>) Date of hospitality Description
Colin McAllister Crown Estates Scotland £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the Year
Colin McAllister The Association of British Insurers £15-30 28 Oct Lunch
Colin McAllister Daily Record £15-30 5 Nov Lunch
David Hutchison Sky £30> 16 Nov Guest at BAFTA Scotland Awards
Jeanette Campbell Scottish Power £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the Year
Ross Ingebrigsten Diageo £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the Year
Ross Ingebrigsten Edinburgh Airport £30> 20 Nov Rugby Match (Scotland vs Argentina) and Hospitality
Emily Mackinstosh Sky £30> 16 Nov Guest at BAFTA Scotland Awards
Emily Mackintosh Charlotte St Partners £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the Year
Emily Mackintosh Royal Bank of Scotland £30> 23 Oct Scottish Financial Services Awards
Leanne Dobson The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds £30> 20 Nov Guests at Nature of Scotland Awards
Kate Higgins The Association of British Insurers £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the Year
Erin McKee The Association of British Insurers £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the Year
Sean McGivern  The Big Partnership £30> 20 Nov Guest at Scottish Politician of the year

Media meetings

Special Adviser Date Name of Senior Media Figure Purpose of meeting
Jack Middleton 6 October Laura Webster Catch-up

Expenses

Special Adviser iExpenses Accomodation Travel
Colin McAllister - - £237.87
David Hutchison - - £203.60
Jeanette Campbell £55.48 - -
Ross Ingebrigsten - £619.95 £1487.60
Emily Mackintosh £57.72 £220.99 £213.50
Kate Higgins £88.01 - £303.83
Emilie-Louise Purdie - £422.40 £362.30
Jack Middleton £207.75 - £778.17
Ian Muirhead - - £113.70
Stephen Noon - - £254.67

These expenses are primarily incurred by Special Advisers in supporting the First Minister and Scottish Ministers at events in other parts of the United Kingdom, including intergovernmental negotiations and on foreign visits taking forward the Scottish Government’s programme.

Due to the way in which the different type of expenses are held i-expenses are recorded by payment date, accommodation by invoice date and travel costs by travel date.

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