Emma Macdonald

Emma Macdonald

Emma Macdonald

I am the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Shetland in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election and currently serve as the political leader of Shetland Islands Council.

Over the past eight years in local government, my focus has been on standing up for Shetland’s interests and making sure that decisions taken nationally reflect the realities of life in our community. Working alongside colleagues across the council and with ministers in government and industry, I have helped secure several important wins for the islands.

That includes additional funding to support our inter-island ferry services – a vital lifeline for so many folk here – as well as progress on the innovative “accelerator model”, designed to ensure our communities see stronger and more direct benefits from the renewable energy developments taking place around us.

I have spent most of my life here in Shetland and raised my children here. Like many folk across Shetland, I know first-hand the pressures that come with the cost of living – from heating your home through long winters to the everyday realities of feeding, clothing and supporting a growing family. Those experiences have shaped my understanding of the challenges many households face and strengthened my determination to ensure Shetland families are properly supported.

Before entering local politics, I was also a local business owner and ran Emma Louise’s Coffee Shop. That gave me a real understanding of the challenges local businesses face day to day – from rising costs to connectivity issues and the practical realities of operating in a rural and remote community. It continues to shape my approach to supporting local businesses and ensuring the right conditions are in place for them to grow.

Alongside my work in local government, I have been involved in a range of community organisations. I previously served as a trustee with Shetland Women’s Aid, where I saw first-hand the vital work being done to support women and families across the isles.

Many of the issues I have campaigned on reflect what I hear from folk across Shetland every day. I have been a strong advocate for making sure our community sees a fair share of the benefits from the energy being generated here – pushing for stronger community benefit arrangements and measures such as a “Shetland tariff” to help bring down electricity costs.

I have also consistently supported Shetland’s fishing industry, which remains central to our economy and way of life, and believe it must have a strong voice when national decisions are being made.

But for Shetland to thrive in the long term, we also need to see real investment in the basics – good quality housing, strong health and social care services, and education that gives young people the opportunity to build their futures here. Infrastructure is a big part of that too, including improving connections between our islands so that communities can remain sustainable and continue to grow.

Too often decisions affecting Shetland are taken without a full understanding of the challenges faced by rural and island communities. If elected to the Scottish Parliament in May, my priority will be making sure Shetland has a strong voice at Holyrood and that the needs of our community are properly represented.

For me, this campaign is about practical action – tackling fuel poverty, strengthening transport links, supporting local businesses and making sure Shetland communities benefit fairly from the opportunities around us.

I believe our islands have a strong future ahead, and I want to play my part in making sure Shetland continues to thrive for generations to come.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats’s election manifesto can be found here.

Return to Election 2026 – candidates list