International relations of Scotland

The International relations of Scotland conducted by the Scottish Government seek to promote Scotland and Scottish interests overseas by promoting its culture, education and research, economy and promote Scotland as a place for trade and business. As of 2023, Scotland has a total of nine Scottish Government offices in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Paris and Washington D.C.. The Scottish Government plan on opening a further office in Warsaw by the end of the current parliamentary term.[1]

Thirty international offices of the Scottish Government currently operate in twenty countries globally.[1] Scottish offices in other countries act as a mechanism to promote collaboration and engagement between the Scottish Government and other international governments whilst two Scotland Houses, one in London and another in Brussels, are both independent establishments created by the Scottish Government to promote Scotland. The country has eight Scottish Government international offices, and over thirty Scottish Development International offices globally, with seven Scottish Government offices based in British embassies or British High Commission offices.[2]

Scottish culture is celebrated in a number of countries worldwide, a symbolism of the approximately 40 million Scottish diaspora globally. Events such as Tartan Day are celebrated in the United States, Canada and New Zealand annually.[3] The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture in the Scottish Government is responsible for the international development of Scotland, international strategy implementation and the countries international network whilst supporting the first minister in their promotion of Scotland internationally.[4][5]

  1. ^ a b "The role of our international network". The Scottish Government. Scottish Government. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  2. ^ "SCOTLAND'S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23" (PDF). The Scottish Government. Scottish Government. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Tartan Day". Scotland.org. Visit Scotland. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  4. ^ "First Minister". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 18 October 2024.