International relations of Scotland

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..

Major conflicts between the two parties include the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296–1357), and the Rough Wooing (1544–1551), as well as numerous smaller campaigns and individual confrontations.

While the English defeated a Scottish army at the Battle of Falkirk, Edward I, hampered by food shortages, was only able to reach Stirling before heading back to England.

[8][9] The Lord Protector became aware of the contribution the Jewish community made to the economic success of the Netherlands, now England's leading commercial rival.

Allied to Cromwell's toleration of private worship of non-Puritans, that led to his encouragement of Jews to return to England, 350 years after their banishment by Edward I, in the hope that they would help speed up the recovery of the country after the disruption of the Civil Wars.

[16] After extensive research, British historian Siobhan Talbott concluded that the Auld Alliance had never been formally revoked and that it endured and thrived long after the Acts of Union in 1707 and the Entente Cordiale of 1904.

Due to Scotland's limited autonomy and distinct identity, the Empire was the primary mode of interaction between Scottish civic society and the outside world.

Areas of the Empire that were subject to heavy Scottish influence include Canada, Southern New Zealand, Malawi, the Caribbean and Myanmar.

[22] Scotland Europa is an organisation which aims to provide a presence and networking opportunities across Europe, project support and policy advice to members.

[24] Since devolution, paradiplomacy has occurred via economic development, tourism, promotion of culture and nation-building as well as projecting a positive image of Scotland internationally.

[21] Government policy over the last twenty years has included diaspora-relationships related to the economy and culture with Australia, Canada, and the USA; long-term relationship with China; international development with Africa and Pakistan.

[21] Local partnerships have also occurred e.g. Aberdeen City Council having partners with energy areas in Brazil, Canada, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan, and Mexico.

[21] In the aftermath of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, the Scottish Government explored how to maintain links with the EU.

[32] In 2023, Conservative Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack said to the Scottish Affairs Committee that he did not approve of; former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon discussing the constitution with a US official in 2022; constitution secretary Angus Robertson discussing the Erasmus and Turing schemes in France; former business minister Ivan McKee stating in Poland that Brexit had been a mistake.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly responded by instructing UK diplomats to be present during visits involving Scottish ministers and banned MPSs from lobbying for Scotland.

[35] Responding to the letter and claims made by Cameron, First Minister Yousaf claimed it was "petty", and that officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had been made aware of the meeting scheduled to take place, but had decided "not to remain with the Scottish delegation" after the meeting had been changed at short notice on behalf of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

As of December 2023, the SDI currently operates a range of trade and investment projects from Scottish Enterprise offices in areas such as Chicago, Houston and San Jose, California, with a number of other locations around the United States.

[37] Sturgeon was highly critical of Donald Trump and his policies during the 2016 United States presidential election and had publicly backed his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Sturgeon claimed following comments made by Trump in relation to Muslims entering the United States that he was "not fit" for the ambassadorial role with the Scottish Government.

Additionally, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon became the first serving head of a foreign government to address the upper house of the Irish Parliament, the Seanad, during a two-day state visit to Ireland in 2016.

[45] During the two day visit, Sturgeon met with President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan.

[47] Sturgeon highlighted that Spain should follow "the shining example" that was created as part of the Edinburgh Agreement between the Scottish and British Governments that allowed Scotland to hold a legally binding referendum.

At the 2013 Viking Congress held in Shetland the Scottish Government announced plans to strengthen Scotland's historic links with Scandinavia.

The partnership's conference, 'Malawi After Gleneagles: A Commission for Africa Case-Study', was held at the Scottish Parliament, involving over 250 delegates from Malawi and Scotland engaged in debates about international development.

[79] He was initially concerned about Scotland's defence strategy and feared the country's major cities, such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, would be targets based on their economic strength and significance to the Scottish, UK and European economies.

[52] Through the motion, McLeish said "the Parliament condemns the senseless and abhorrent acts of terrorism carried out in the United States yesterday and extends our deepest sympathies to those whose loved ones have been killed or injured".

McConnell carried out international engagements in Ireland, five in the United States, eight in Belgium, South Africa, two in Italy, Austria, three in France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, China, Malawi, Canada and Australia.

Salmond's international engagements included visits to Belgium, five in the United States, Sri Lanka, three in Ireland, Spain, Hong Kong, two in China, Denmark, Guernsey, two in the Isle of Man, Norway and India.

[90] Yousaf declared his desire to set up a permanent Scottish Government envoy to the European Union in Brussels to "aid the cause of independence".

[97] Scotland is a member of the British–Irish Council and the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, both of which are intended to foster collaboration between the legislative bodies of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.