“We may be a small country, but like Auld Lang Syne, we are celebrated. For our spirit, our bravery, our generosity and our kindness.”
Mr Swinney said those qualities were rooted in local communities and everyday acts of care, arguing that “small acts” and “moments of togetherness” helped build “the Scotland we want to live in”.
Scotland’s Scott McTominay scoring the opening goal during the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying match (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/PA Images)
The First Minister said that tonight, ahead of the bells, he would be “toasting Scotland’s famous win against Denmark and looking forward to next year’s World Cup and to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow”.
However, Mr Swinney also acknowledged that the past year had been difficult for many and urged people to look out for one another.
“For some, though, they may be remembering that the last year was difficult. And thinking of the conflict and upheaval we have seen across the world,” he said.
“It is at times like these that those small acts of care and compassion make the biggest difference.”
John Swinney speaking to The Herald (Image: Gordon Terris)
Mr Swinney praised public services, charities, community groups, volunteers and families: “We are all here for each other.
“The holidays are the perfect time to reach out to those around us. To ring up an old friend or check on a neighbour.
“As Robert Burns said, to take a cup of kindness. So that we all come a little closer together.
“These are the things that make an area into a community. These are the things that make Scotland, Scotland.
“As First Minister of Scotland I wish every one of you a very happy 2026.
“Happy new year. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr.”
May’s Holyrood election dominated the messages from the other party leaders.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said the year ahead was decisive.
“In a few short months, we face one of the most important contests of our lifetimes, with the country at a crossroads,” he said.
“I’m talking, of course, about the World Cup. It’s the first time the Scotland men’s team will play at the tournament in 28 years.
“The entire nation will come to a standstill when Steve Clarke’s lads and the Tartan Army head Stateside in June.
“Aged 25, I was lucky enough to be at France 98 to cheer on Scotland.
“Little did I think that it would be almost three decades before we’d reach the World Cup again. So this will be an historic occasion for us all to savour.”
Mr Findlay said May’s election would also “impact our country greatly”.
He said: “The choice couldn’t be clearer: another five years of the nationalists pushing for an independence referendum at every turn, or the Scottish Conservatives, focused on growing the economy, faster GP appointments, improving schools, and cutting your bills.
“In five months’ time, we can remove the SNP from power, move on from this wasted era of failure and division, and deliver for the people of Scotland.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described 2026 as a chance for a “new start”, saying voters had the opportunity to elect “a new government to change our country and a new first minister that shares your ambition”.
He said Scotland was being “held back by a tired SNP government that is out of ideas and out of time”, and argued Labour could fix the NHS, grow the economy, create jobs and “deliver the new direction, new ideas and new leadership that Scotland needs”.
“That’s the choice we have before us in 2026 – to stick with the failures of the past or to choose a brighter future with Scottish Labour,” Mr Sarwar said.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander and Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA)
In his message, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton urged voters to consider how they would use both constituency and regional list votes in the election.
“Let me be straight with you. At May’s election, you have two votes. In many constituencies we are on the verge of winning against the SNP: from Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Inverness and Nairn, all the way down to Edinburgh Northern and Strathkelvin and Bearsden.
“But our fairer voting system also means we can give every corner of Scotland a Liberal Democrat champion. That’s why we’re asking for your vote on the list seats in every region too. A vote for us on that second, peach-coloured, regional ballot paper will deliver change with fairness at its heart.”
Co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Gillian Mackay and Callan (Image: Colin Mearns)
Scottish Green Co-leader Gillian Mackay, who welcomed her first baby, a son named Callan Alexander Mackay, in June, said she wanted every family in Scotland to have “the same love and support as we have had and to build a Scotland where every child can flourish”.
She added: “But every year is also impacted by the people we have lost. A lot of people will be seeing-in a new year for the first time without loved ones. It’s ok not to be ok. There is no right or wrong way to react, and my heart is with everyone facing difficult circumstances.
“I know that in the dark winter days it can be hard to maintain a belief that things can be better.
“Particularly when we have divisive bad faith actors gaining ground and trying to split our communities, and with the backdrop of atrocities in Gaza and beyond, it can be hard to keep hope alive.
“A lot of people are angry and feeling the strain of rising bills and costs. They see a political system that has promised so much change but delivered business-as-usual.
“It doesn’t need to be this way. The year ahead must be one where we work towards restoration and peace. It must be a year in which we strive to do better both individually and collectively.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander focused his New Year message on delivery by the UK Government, saying 2026 would be a year in which Labour was “delivering real change to communities right across Scotland”.
“This year, the Scottish Government will receive from the UK Government the largest-ever block grant in the history of devolution. That means we should be seeing better public services delivered as a result of that investment.
“And with Scotland going to the World Cup this year, it will be a chance to come together with loved ones and support our team. Let’s hope Andy Robertson and the boys do us proud.
“Wishing a very happy and prosperous new year to you all.”
