Former deputy first minister Kate Forbes is returning to public life as a regular columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times, writing from her home in the Highlands.
The appointment is the former Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP’s first public role since leaving the Scottish Parliament at the May election, with her first column due to appear on Sunday 13 September.
Forbes spent a decade representing the Highland constituency at Holyrood and six years in government before standing down earlier this year.
She will now write regularly across both titles in print and online, covering subjects including the economy, defence and energy as well as wider Scottish politics and public life.
Her appointment also gives one of Scotland’s major national newspapers a regular political voice writing from beyond the central belt.
Forbes joins a columnist line up which already includes Alex Massie, Kenny Farquharson, Iain Macwhirter and Magnus Linklater.
Dale Miller, Scotland editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, said:
“I am delighted to be adding Kate Forbes to our outstanding stable of columnists.
“As the deputy first minister until earlier this year, Kate has proven herself a powerful, forthright communicator who is happy to express her views and stand by her principles.
“Her extensive cabinet experience in areas including finance and the economy has given her first-hand knowledge of the pressures facing our business community, from tax to defence and the cost of living.
“Kate also possesses a clear understanding of the inner workings and direction of this Scottish government, under John Swinney, and can speak with authority and clarity on political issues and policy.
“Finally, as a fluent Gaelic speaker who calls the Highlands home, Kate will offer a much-needed and authoritative perspective on issues that affect Scotland and its people outside of just the central belt.
“Kate’s columns will be an exciting addition to our coverage and I cannot wait to read what she has to say in the weeks and months ahead.”
Forbes said her decade in parliament and experience inside government had left her with plenty to say about the decisions now facing Scotland.
She said:
“I am delighted to be joining The Times and The Sunday Times. Both titles have a long record of taking Scotland seriously, and of holding those in power to account without fear or favour, which is exactly what the country needs at this moment.
“After ten years in parliament and six in government, I have plenty to say about the choices facing Scotland, on growing our economy, on defence and security, on the future of energy, and on how we make sure the decisions taken in Edinburgh work for communities hundreds of miles away from it.
“I am looking forward to writing about all of that, and to hearing what readers make of it.”
Her first Sunday Times column will appear on 13 September, beginning a new chapter for one of the most prominent Highland voices in Scottish politics over the past decade.
