Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee

Promoting Scotland Internationally

Status: Closed Opened: 21 Jul 2022 Closed: 17 Jan 2024 8 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

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.

Reports

1 report

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Internationally	HC 625	13 Sep 2023	14	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items

2 Recommendation Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Deferred

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 Night. This document should give clear direction on what current …

Government response. The government discusses potential collaboration for Tartan Week 2024 in New York, with detailed plans to be developed, but does not commit to publishing a broader strategy, defining the Scottish brand, or providing annual reporting updates for embassies as recommended.

Scotland Office

6 Conclusion Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Deferred

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.

Government response. The government deflects the specific recommendation to explore the future focus of Tartan Week, instead highlighting existing positive collaboration between UK and Scottish government officials and the FCDO-Devolved Government Senior Officials’ Group for discussing international issues affecting devolved interests.

Scotland Office

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions

Date	Witnesses
12 Jun 2023	David Rutley · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Rt Hon Alister Jack · Scotland Office, The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO · Scotland Office	View ↗
15 May 2023	Francesca Hegyi OBE · Edinburgh International Festival, Major General Buster Howes CB OBE · The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Shona McCarthy · Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society	View ↗
20 Mar 2023	Dr Stephen Baker · Scottish Development International, Reuben Aitken · Scottish Enterprise, Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP · Scottish Government, Scott Wightman · Scottish Government	View ↗
9 Jan 2023	Patricia Yates · VisitBritain/VisitEngland, Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE · University of Glasgow, Scott McDonald · British Council, Vicki Miller · VisitScotland	View ↗
12 Dec 2022	Graeme Littlejohn · Scotch Whisky Association, Jimmy Buchan · Scottish Seafood Association, John Davidson · Scotland Food and Drink	View ↗

Correspondence

5 letters

Date	Direction	Title
6 Sep 2023	To cttee	Letter from Christopher Thomson, Scottish Government Counsellor for the United…
12 Jul 2023	—	Correspondence with the Rt Hon Mr Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scot…
20 Jun 2023	To cttee	Letter from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External …
16 May 2023	—	Correspondence from Reuben Aitken of Scottish Development International in fol…
25 Apr 2023	To cttee	Letter from Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Ex…