Education
McDonald was educated at Dyce Primary School and Dyce Academy. He gained an Master of Arts in Politics from the University of Dundee (2002) and an Master of Letters in Strategic Studies from the University of Aberdeen (2003).
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Mark McDonald
Edit Profilepolitician Member of the Scottish Parliament
Career
He previously represented the North East Scotland region between 5 May 2011 and 14 May 2013. From 2003 to 2011 he worked as a Parliamentary Assistant to MSPs Richard Lochhead, Maureen Watt, and Nigel Don. He was elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2007 at the age of 26 representing the Dyce/Bucksburn/Danestone ward having unsuccessfully contested a 2004 Local Authority by-election in the city.
McDonald stood as Scottish National Party candidate for Aberdeen South in the 2010 United Kingdom general election coming fourth in the poll.
McDonald was elected to the in the 2011 election from the North East Scotland regional list with the Scottish National Party taking 52.71% of the vote. He made his maiden speech on 2 June 2011 during a debate on Green Energy.
In addition, he sits on a number of Cross Party Groups (CPGs) including Oil & Gas, Carers, Epilepsy and Mental Health (which he co-convenes). He is currently Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney having previously been Parliamentary Liaison Officer to Alex Salmond during his tenure as First Minister.
In September 2011, McDonald announced he was to bring forward a Member"s Bill on High Hedge Disputes, which was passed unanimously by the on 28 March 2013, making McDonald"s bill the first Members" Bill to pass in the current Parliamentary session.
Following the death of Brian Adam in April 2013, Mark McDonald was selected as the Scottish National Party candidate for Aberdeen Donside and resigned his seat as a North East Scotland Region Managing Successful Programmes to fight the by-election. McDonald held the seat for the Scottish National Party with a reduced majority and was returned to the on 20 June 2013. McDonald has been a keen advocate for individuals on the autistic spectrum, leading members debates on the issue and asking questions of the Scottish Government.
He sits on the Scotland Advisory Committee of the National Autistic Society and is a trustee of the charity, Friendly Access, which looks to create a more accessible environment for individuals with sensory disabilities.
Achievements
Membership
McDonald has been a member of many committees in the parliament, but currently sits on the Finance Committee and the Devolution & Further Powers Committee.
-
Born
-
Nationality
United Kingdom -
Political Party
Scottish National Party