Promoting Scotland Internationally

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Jul 2022 Closed: 17 Jan 2024 Parliament page
The Committee recently conducted an inquiry into Promoting Scotland Internationally. Its report, published on 13 September 2023, can be read here . Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.
8 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 15 events
30 Nov
2023
Report published
13 Sep
2023
Report published
6 Sep
2023
Correspondence
4 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
12 Jul
2023
Correspondence
20 Jun
2023
Correspondence
12 Jun
2023
Oral evidence
16 May
2023
Correspondence
15 May
2023
Oral evidence
25 Apr
2023
Correspondence
20 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
30 Jan
2023
Informal meeting · Scotland
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
12 Jun 2023
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David Rutley · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Rt Hon Alister Jack · Scotland Office The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO · Scotland Office
15 May 2023
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Francesca Hegyi OBE · Edinburgh International Festival Major General Buster Howes CB OBE · The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Shona McCarthy · Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
20 Mar 2023
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Dr Stephen Baker · Scottish Development International Reuben Aitken · Scottish Enterprise Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP · Scottish Government Scott Wightman · Scottish Government
9 Jan 2023
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Patricia Yates · VisitBritain/VisitEngland Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE · University of Glasgow Scott McDonald · British Council Vicki Miller · VisitScotland
12 Dec 2022
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Graeme Littlejohn · Scotch Whisky Association Jimmy Buchan · Scottish Seafood Association John Davidson · Scotland Food and Drink
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Internationally HC 625 13 Sep 2023 14 Response document linked
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
1 Conclusion
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Scotland's international brand requires balancing traditional attributes with modern strengths.
Scotland benefits from having a distinctive brand identity which is an advantage on the international stage. For many, “traditional” attributes of the Scottish brand such as tartan, golf and its history are still resonant. These remain important hooks for creating … Read more
Scotland Office
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2 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require FCDO to publish strategy guiding embassies on promoting Scotland's modern and traditional brand.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) should publish a strategy, to be circulated across its international diplomatic network, which sets out guidance and expectations for embassies on holding events to mark Scotland’s key dates, St Andrew’s Day and Burns … Read more
Scotland Office
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3 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
UK Government's international strategy for Scotland lacks clear actions and measurable objectives.
We heard that UK Government activity in relation to promoting Scotland internationally, for example through ministerial visits, could sometimes be perceived as lacking a bigger strategic picture. The Secretary of State for Scotland described the UK Government’s strategy for Scotland … Read more
Scotland Office
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4 Conclusion
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Mandate OSSS to develop and publish a comprehensive, measurable strategy for promoting Scotland internationally.
In response to this report, the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland—in consultation with the FCDO—should provide a clear strategy containing its measurable priorities and objectives for promoting Scotland internationally alongside the actions it is undertaking—and will undertake … Read more
Scotland Office
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5 Conclusion
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
UK Government ministerial attendance at New York Tartan Week resumed after eleven years.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland earlier this year (2023) attended and took part in events as part of the 25th annual “Tartan Week” in New York City—the first time … Read more
Scotland Office
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6 Conclusion
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require UK and Scottish governments to define intended focus for future Tartan Week participation.
The UK and Scottish governments should both explore the intended focus for their participation at “Tartan Week” in the future. “Tartan Week” provides a prime opportunity to promote Scotland.
Scotland Office
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7 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require OSSS to publish Tartan Week impact and explore establishing global Tartan Day events.
Given that the Secretary of State has confirmed that there will be ministerial representation at New York “Tartan Week” next year, the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland should set out in its response to this report: • … Read more
Scotland Office
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8 Conclusion
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Opportunities exist to engage Scotland's global diaspora for promoting Scottish interests internationally.
We have heard from witnesses during our inquiry of the opportunities which exist for the UK and Scottish governments to build connections with Scotland’s large global diaspora, which could be used to support the promotion of Scottish interests internationally. Read more
Scotland Office
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9 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require UK Government to clarify its strategy for engaging the Scottish diaspora internationally.
In response to this report, the UK Government should clarify: • what activity is currently undertaken by embassies to engage with the Scottish diaspora, for example in countries in which that diaspora has a sizable presence; • what role the … Read more
Scotland Office
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10 Conclusion
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Inconsistent practice in UK embassies hinders international promotion of Scotland
We appreciate the wide range of work undertaken by UK embassies across a range of interests, from security to international development assistance to consular support. Our inquiry has focused on the economic and cultural promotion of Scotland internationally, and our … Read more
Scotland Office
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11 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Enhance FCDO training for embassy staff and promote regular meetings on Scottish interests
The FCDO should enhance its programme of training for relevant embassy staff at all band levels to improve the knowledge base of UK officials of the Scottish market and industry landscape, as well as the current priorities of the UK … Read more
Scotland Office
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12 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Mandate regular contact between Edinburgh Hub and SDI to avoid duplication of business support
We welcome additional trading support provided for Scottish businesses through the recently established UK Government Trade and Investment Hub in Edinburgh. The UK Government Edinburgh Hub and Scottish Development International (SDI) must maintain regular contact with each other to ensure … Read more
Scotland Office
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13 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require annual updates on Edinburgh Hub's support for Scottish trade and DBT export access
In response to this report, the UK Government should provide an annual written update to the committee on how the Hub is supporting the delivery of the UK Government’s trading outcomes and its priorities for Scotland. The UK Government should … Read more
Scotland Office
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14 Recommendation
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Positive collaboration between UK and Scottish officials in Washington should be replicated widely
The UK and Scottish Governments share many of the same priorities for Scotland on the international stage and there is an important role for the Scottish Government to play in promoting Scottish interests overseas in areas of devolved competence. Despite … Read more
Scotland Office
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Correspondence 5 letters
6 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Christopher Thomson, Scottish Government Counsellor for the United States on sterling costs for Tartan week, dated 28 June 2023.
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12 Jul 2023 Correspondence with the Rt Hon Mr Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland; David Rutley MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Americas and Caribbean) at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and The Lord Offord of Garvel, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Exports) at Department for Business and Trade on follow-up from evidence session on Promoting Scotland Internationally on 12 June 2023, dated 15 June and 10 July 2023.
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20 Jun 2023 To committee Letter from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture at Scottish Government on follow-up from evidence session on Promoting Scotland Internationally on 12 June 2023, dated 14 June 2023.
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16 May 2023 Correspondence from Reuben Aitken of Scottish Development International in follow up to the oral evidence session on Promoting Scotland Internationally on 20 March 2023
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25 Apr 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture at Scottish Government on Promoting Scotland Internationally follow-up on 20 March 2023, dated 17 April 2023
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