Catherine MacLeod has been the UK political editor of The Herald since 2001. Made history by being the first woman appointed to that prestigious position. She regularly appears on radio and TV, and has contributed to publications about the Westminster/Holyrood relationship since devolution. Before being promoted she was The Herald‚s political correspondent at Westminster. Previously freelanced in London for Grampian TV at Westminster, and a number of London-based publications, including the Sunday Times.

Before leaving Scotland she worked for the Press & Journal and BBC Radio Scotland.

She was born in Glencoe, and brought up in Mallaig and Fort William. Went to school in Mallaig, Fort William and Inverness before going to Edinburgh University.