First Minister Humza Yousaf has appointed a new Environment Minister to join the Scottish Government.
As you may recall, following Nicola Sturgeon’s exit, Yousaf’s Cabinet reshuffle in March 2023 resulted in the position of Environment Minister being dropped, after he promoted the former Environment Minister (Mairi McAllan) to the role of Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition (see here).
Consequently, Mairi McAllan’s Environment portfolio then appeared to have been dumped on Mairi Gougeon’s plate, which was already full as her portfolio as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands was also expanded to include Land Reform.
It looks like somebody’s finally had a word with Yousaf because today he gave the Environment portfolio to Gillian Martin MSP, who was already serving in the newly-created office of Energy Minister (although not without controversy, for very different reasons – here and here).
Gillian’s specific responsibilities as Energy and Environment Minister haven’t yet been updated on the Government website (here) but it is clear that she will play a supporting role to Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon.
The Wildlife & Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, seeking to deliver grouse moor reform, will probably feature prominently in her first year in office so there’ll be a great deal of interest in Gillian’s performance in this new role.
UPDATE 26th June 2023: New Scottish Environment Minister’s responsibilities include wildlife management and wildlife crime (here).
Raptor Persecution UK 
I’d like to be pleased with the appointment of Gilliam Martin but, it seems to me, she is simply adding to the developing Northern and North Eastern cabal within the SNP who are generally sympathetic to the “no change” position in regards to Driven Grouse Moors. This cabal appear to be creating a challenge to the current Administration who are generally from the old Industrial areas and far less sympathetic to the excesses of wealth landlords.
With Ms. Martin working under Ms Gougeon this can only strengthen their position.
It would be wise for us all to keep the eye on the ball.