Out and About: Aberdeen Holyrood Hustings 2026 at King’s Conference Centre
Six parliamentary candidates face public questions in a free university event
When: Friday 20 March 2026, 6pm
Where: King’s Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen
Tickets: eventbrite.com
The Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7 May arrives at a difficult moment for Aberdeen. Job losses, business closures, an energy sector in transition, and a university facing a funding crisis have all converged, which makes a free public hustings organised by students worth knowing about.
The Gaudie, the University of Aberdeen’s student newspaper, is putting on the event alongside the Politics & International Relations Society. Candidates from six parties have been invited: SNP, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Reform UK, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Labour, and Scottish Greens.
Making politics feel less distant
“This election is huge,” says Innes Paton, News Editor at The Gaudie. “With education being a matter devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Aberdeen in financial turmoil, this election decides the future of this university and city.”
Emily Reid, The Gaudie’s International Editor and one of the event’s chairs, is direct about what the evening is for: “The hustings is about making politics accessible, as often it seems so distant from students and local communities.”
The event is open to university staff, students, and local residents. Tickets are free; booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment.
