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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.

Clear

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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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 AI summary
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.
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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 ↗

Who gave evidence

17 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
David Rutley · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Americas … Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 1
Dr Stephen Baker · Regional Director Inward Investment, Asia Pacific… Scottish Development International 1
Francesca Hegyi OBE · Chief Executive Edinburgh International Festival 1
Graeme Littlejohn · Director of Strategy & Communication Scotch Whisky Association 1
Jimmy Buchan · Chief Executive Scottish Seafood Association 1
John Davidson · Deputy Chief Executive and Strategy Director Scotland Food and Drink 1
Major General Buster Howes CB OBE · Chief Executive The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 1
Patricia Yates · Chief Executive VisitBritain/VisitEngland 1
Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE · Co-Chair of the Scottish Arts and Humanities Alli… University of Glasgow 1
Reuben Aitken · Managing Director, International Operations Scottish Enterprise 1
Rt Hon Alister Jack · Secretary of State for Scotland Scotland Office 1
Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP · Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affa… Scottish Government 1
Scott McDonald · Chief Executive British Council 1
Scott Wightman · Director for External Affairs Scottish Government 1
Shona McCarthy · Chief Executive Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society 1
The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Scotland Office 1
Vicki Miller · Director of Marketing and Digital VisitScotland 1

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
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…

Meetings & visits

3 items
DateTypeDetail
4 Sep 2023 Formal meeting (private meeting) — · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
30 Jan 2023 Informal meeting — · Scotland
7 Nov 2022 Informal meeting — · Virtual meeting