Scottish Government

Devolved government of Scotland

"Government of Scotland" redirects here. For an overview of the political system of Scotland, see Politics of Scotland.

For earlier administrations, see Government in medieval Scotland and Government in early modern Scotland.

Scottish Government

Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba
Scots: Scots Govrenment

Logo of the Scottish Government

Overview
Established| 1 July 1999 (1999-07-01)
Country|  Scotland
Leader| First Minister (John Swinney)
Appointed by| First Minister approved by Parliament, ceremonially appointed by the monarch
Main organ| Scottish Cabinet
Ministries| 56 government directorates
131 public bodies
10 executive agencies
46 non–executive agencies
Responsible to| Scottish Parliament
Annual budget| £59.7 billion (2024–25)[1]
Headquarters| St Andrew's House, Edinburgh
Website| www.gov.scot
This article is part of a series within the
Politics of the United Kingdom on the

Politics of Scotland

The Crown

* The Monarch

Charles III

* * *

* Heir apparent

William, Duke of Rothesay

* * *

* Prerogative
* Royal family
* Succession
* Privy Council
* Union of the Crowns
* Balmoral Castle
* Holyrood Palace
* Scottish republicanism

Executive

* Scottish Government

Swinney government

* * *

* First Minister

The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP

* * *

* Keeper of the Great Seal

The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP

* * *

* Deputy First Minister

Kate Forbes MSP

* * *

* Cabinet Secretaries
* Junior Ministers
* Scottish budget
* Taxation
* Directorates
* Executive agencies
* Public bodies
* State-owned enterprises
* Bute House
* St Andrew's House

* * *

* International relations

Legislature

* Scottish Parliament

Sixth session

* * *

* Presiding Officer

Alison Johnstone MSP

* * *

* Primary legislation
* Statutory instrument
* Committees
* First Minister's Questions
* Standards Commission for Scotland
* Scotland Act 1998
* 2012 Act
* 2016 Act
* Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999
* EU Continuity Act 2020

Law and justice

* Cabinet Secretary for Justice

Angela Constance MSP

* * *

* Lord Advocate

Dorothy Bain KC

* * *

* Lord President

The Rt Hon Lord Pentland KC PC

* * *

* Scots law
* Udal law
* Courts
* Judiciary
* Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
* Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
* Police Scotland
* Scottish Prison Service
* Advocate General
* Solicitor General

Elections and referendums

Scottish Parliament elections

* 1999
* 2003
* 2007
* 2011
* 2016
* 2021
* Next

* * *

United Kingdom Parliament elections

* 1801 co-option
* 1802
* 1806
* 1807
* 1812
* 1818
* 1820
* 1826
* 1830
* 1831
* 1832
* 1835
* 1837
* 1841
* 1847
* 1852
* 1857
* 1859
* 1865
* 1868
* 1874
* 1880
* 1885
* 1886
* 1892
* 1895
* 1900
* 1906
* 1910 (Jan)
* 1910 (Dec)
* 1918
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1929
* 1931
* 1935
* 1945
* 1950
* 1951
* 1955
* 1959
* 1964
* 1966
* 1970
* 1974 (Feb)
* 1974 (Oct)
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1992
* 1997
* 2001
* 2005
* 2010
* 2015
* 2017
* 2019

* * *

European Parliament elections

* 1979
* 1984
* 1989
* 1994
* 1999
* 2004
* 2009
* 2014
* 2019

* * *

Local elections

* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1977
* 1980
* 1982
* 1984
* 1986
* 1988
* 1990
* 1992
* 1994
* 1995
* 1999
* 2003
* 2007
* 2012
* 2017
* 2022

* * *

Referendums

* 1975
* 1979
* 1994
* 1997
* 2005
* 2011
* 2014
* 2016

* * *

* Scottish Parliament constituencies
* Scottish Parliament electoral regions
* Scottish Westminster constituencies
* Proposed second independence referendum
* Electoral system
* Political parties

Scotland and the United Kingdom

* United Kingdom Government

Starmer ministry

* * *

* Prime Minister

The Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP

* * *

* Secretary of State for Scotland

The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP

* * *

* Scottish devolution
* Treaty of Union
* House of Commons
* House of Lords
* Scotland Office
* Scottish Affairs Committee
* Scottish Grand Committee
* Interministerial Standing Committee
* Barnett formula
* Reserved matters
* Sewel motion

Administration

* Council areas
* History
* Sheriffdoms
* Community councils
* Lieutenancy areas
* Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

* Category
* Scotland portal

* Other countries

* v
* t
* e

The Scottish Government (Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba, pronounced [ˈrˠiə.əl̪ˠt̪əs nə ˈhal̪ˠapə]) is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland.[2] It was formed in 1999 as the Scottish Executive following the 1997 referendum on Scottish devolution, and is headquartered at St Andrew's House in the capital city, Edinburgh.[3] It has been described as one of the most powerful devolved governments globally,[4] with full legislative control over a number of areas, including education, healthcare, justice and the legal system, rural affairs, housing, the crown estate, the environment, emergency services, equal opportunities, public transport, and tax, amongst others.[5][6]

Ministers are appointed by the first minister with the approval of the Scottish Parliament and the monarch from among the members of the Parliament. The Scotland Act 1998 makes provision for ministers and junior ministers, referred to by the current administration as Cabinet secretaries and ministers, in addition to two law officers: the lord advocate and the solicitor general for Scotland. Collectively the Scottish Ministers and the Civil Service staff that support the Scottish Government are formally referred to as the Scottish Administration. Only the first minister and their deputy, cabinet secretaries, the law officers, the permanent secretary and Minister for Parliamentary Business serve within the Scottish Cabinet.[7]

The Scottish Government consists of the Scottish Ministers, which is the term used to describe their collective legal functions. The Scottish Government is accountable to the Scottish Parliament, which was also created by the Scotland Act 1998 with the first minister appointed by the monarch following a proposal by the Parliament. The Scottish Parliament can legislate on any matter that is not reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

## History

[edit]

Further information: Kingdom of Scotland and Parliament of Scotland

### Pre–1707

[edit]

Main articles: Privy Council of Scotland and List of Scottish monarchs

Further information: Government in medieval Scotland and Government in early modern Scotland

Prior to the Treaty of Union 1707, the Crown in Scotland was the most important element of government in the Kingdom of Scotland despite the many royal minorities. Government in the Kingdom of Scotland was mostly executed by the Privy Council of Scotland, the body of advisers to the Scottish monarch. Recognised as having substantially more powers than the parliament, its responsibilities included the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of the country, and supervised the administration of the law, regulated trade and shipping, took emergency measures against the plague, granted licences to travel, administered oaths of allegiance, banished beggars and gypsies, dealt with witches, recusants, Covenanters and Jacobites and tackled the problem of lawlessness in the Highlands and the Borders.[8]

In the late Middle Ages, it saw much of the aggrandisement associated with the New Monarchs elsewhere in Europe.[9] Theories of constitutional monarchy and resistance were articulated by Scots, particularly George Buchanan, in the 16th century, but James VI of Scotland advanced the theory of the divine right of kings, and these debates were restated in subsequent reigns and crises. The court remained at the centre of political life, and in the 16th century emerged as a major centre of display and artistic patronage, until it was effectively dissolved with the Union of the Crowns in 1603.[10] The Parliament of Scotland also emerged as a major legal institution, gaining an oversight of taxation and policy.[11] By the end of the Middle Ages it was sitting almost every year, partly because of the frequent royal minorities and regencies of the period, which may have prevented it from being sidelined by the monarchy.[12]

### Post–1707

[edit]

Main articles: Treaty of Union, Secretary of State for Scotland, and Scotland Office

Thomas McKinnon Wood, Secretary of State for Scotland (1912–1916), leader of the Scotland Office, the main government department responsible for Scottish affairs prior to 1998

The signing of the 1707 Treaty of Union ended the political independence of Scotland. The Parliament of Scotland, that country's legislature situated at Parliament House, Edinburgh, was subsumed into the Parliament of Great Britain which would be based in London.[13] Following the ratification of the Treaty of Union, Parliament House became the seat of the Supreme Courts of Scotland in which it remains today. Under the terms of the Treaty of Union, various elements of independence from England were retained for Scotland, such as a separate education and legal system (including the Scottish court system – Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary) as was the countries church and religion. Additionally, the Crown of Scotland and the Honours of Scotland were to remain in Scotland, as were all parliamentary and other official records.[13]

In 1885, many domestic policy functions relating to Scotland were brought into the responsibility of the Scottish Office, a department of the Government of the United Kingdom which was headed by a Secretary for Scotland, later the Secretary of State for Scotland. In 1969, a Royal Commission on the Constitution was established to examine the constitutional composition in which various models to introduce devolution in Scotland was considered, some of which were accepted whilst some were rejected. During the 1970s, there was increasing pressure to reform the constitution, and thus, the Labour government under Prime Minister James Callaghan, held a referendum on Scottish devolution in 1979. The referendum would have enacted the Scotland Act 1978, and would have created a Scottish Assembly with limited legislative powers. There would have been a Scottish Executive headed by a "First Secretary", taking over some of the functions of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Meetings of the Scottish Assembly would have been held at the Old Royal High School in Regent Road, Edinburgh. The former school hall was adapted for use by the Scottish Assembly, including the installation of microphones and new olive-green leather seating. Members would have been elected by the "first past the post" system. Despite a majority of the Scottish population voting Yes in the 1979 referendum (52% in favour), it only amounted to 33% of the electorate and therefore was not recognised.[14]

The 1979 Conservative Party government, headed by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, did not support devolution for Scotland as detailed in the Scotland Act 1978. Instead, it supported the devolution of further powers to the administrative government of Scotland and allowing special treatment of Scottish business in Parliament.[14]

### Scotland Act 1998

[edit]

Main articles: Scottish devolution referendum, 1997 and Scotland Act 1998

Following the Scotland Act 1998, Donald Dewar became First Minister and led the first Scottish Government since 1707.

In 1997, the Labour Party returned to government, with Tony Blair as Prime Minister, and had included the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in its manifesto for the 1997 general election, which they won with a landslide majority of 179.[15] Blair held a referendum on Scottish devolution in September 1997, with 1,775,045 people (74.2%) voting in favour in contrast to 614,400 (25.7%) voting against the proposal. The referendum result was recognised, and the Scotland Act 1998 created both a Scottish Parliament and a Scottish Executive, with many of the functions of the Secretary of State for Scotland being transferred to the Scottish Ministers, accountable to a devolved Scottish Parliament. The new parliament and Scottish Executive were also to have control over tax varying powers,[16] and full legislative control over areas such as healthcare, education, policing, Scots law, environment, housing, local government, culture and some aspects of transportation, amongst others.[17]

Subsequently, the Scotland Acts of 2012 and 2016 transferred powers over some taxation including Income Tax, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, Landfill Tax, Aggregates Levy and Air Departure Tax, drink driving limits, Scottish Parliament and local authority elections, some social security powers, the Crown Estate of Scotland, some aspects of the benefits system, some aspects of the energy network in Scotland including renewable energy, energy efficiency and onshore oil and gas licensing, some aspects of equality legislation in Scotland and gaming machine licensing.[18][19]

The first Scottish Executive was formed by First Minister Donald Dewar as a coalition between the Scottish Labour Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats. During this period, ministerial appointees were divided into ministers and deputy ministers. The Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition continued under subsequent First Ministers Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell. Following the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, Alex Salmond became the first politician from the Scottish National Party to lead the Scottish Government. He became first minister in 2007 and served in office until his resignation in 2014, with his former deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, succeeding him in November 2014.[20]

Since 2007, the Scottish Executive has used the name Scottish Government. The change of name was later recognised in United Kingdom legislation by the Scotland Act 2012. In 2001, former First Minister Henry McLeish had proposed such a change, but experienced some opposition.[21] At the same time that the Scottish Government began to use its new name, a new emblem was adopted. It replaced the use of a version of the Royal Arms with the Flag of Scotland.[22] In September 2014, the Scottish Government held a referendum on Scotland regaining its independence, following the signing of the Edinburgh Agreement in 2012 by the Scottish Government and UK Government which transferred powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on the issue.[23]

The first cabinet of Alex Salmond (2007–2011)

The Scottish Government's main headquarters are based at St Andrew's House in the capital city, Edinburgh. Additionally, the Scottish Government has offices at Victoria Quay, Saughton House and Bute House (the official residence of the first minister), all located in Edinburgh, with an additional office at 5 Atlantic Quay in Glasgow. All Ministers and officials have access to Scotland House at Victoria Embankment in London, when necessary. Dover House on Whitehall is now used by the Scotland Office and the devolved Scottish Ministers no longer use it.[24]

From 1 January 2021, the Scottish Government instructed all Scottish legislation be legally required to keep in regulatory alignment in devolved competences with future European Union law following the end of the Brexit transition period which ended on 31 December 2020 after the Scottish Parliament passed the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2020.[25]

## Functions

[edit]

### Parliament

[edit]

Main article: Scottish Parliament

Bills introduced by the Scottish Government are debated in the Scottish Parliament, and must receive a majority in favour of a bill becoming law.

The Scottish Government is separate from the Scottish Parliament, with the parliament being made of 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament elected by the electorate of Scotland during Scottish Parliamentary elections. The Scottish Parliament acts as the law making body for devolved matters which fall under the responsibility of the Scottish Government. The work of the Scottish Government, including proposed legislation, policies and activities, is scrutinised by parliament through a variety of different measures such as parliamentary debates, parliament committees and parliamentary questions to the appropriate Cabinet Secretary or government minister.[26]

The Scottish Government is directly responsible for implementing the laws which have received parliamentary approval by the Scottish Parliament. The party with the largest number of MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament following parliamentary elections is responsible for forming a government. As such, it is the Scottish Government which proposes the majority of bills to the parliament for consideration before becoming law. If parliament gives a bill an overall majority, it passes and becomes enshrined in Scots law following receiving royal assent from the monarch. Each law is approved by the monarch using the Great Seal of Scotland.[27]

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon before the Scottish Parliament during First Minister's Questions

Each year, the Scottish Government produces its annual budget for public spending which is presented to members of the Scottish Parliament for consideration. The Budget Bill is scrutinised by the parliamentary committees, and goes through three parliamentary stages before passing – a parliamentary debate on the general principles of the Budget Bill, any changes to the Budget Bill can be put forward to parliament by Scottish Government ministers, with such proposed changes being considered by the Finance and Constitution Committee, and lastly, MSPs determine whether any additional changes are required following the changes proposed by Scottish Government ministers, and members then vote on whether to pass the Bill. Similar to other acts of the Scottish Parliament, if the Budget Bill passes in the Scottish Parliament, it receives royal assent and becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament.[28]

Strategically, the first minister is the head of the Scottish Government, and not the head of the Scottish Parliament. The head of the Scottish Parliament is usually considered to be the presiding officer who is the speaker of the parliament and presides over all parliamentary business and debates. The Scottish Government is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament, and both the government and parliament are directly accountable to the public of Scotland.[29]

### National Performance Framework

[edit]

The Scottish Government produces a National Performance Framework (NPF) which sets out the government's priorities, objectives and overall vision for the country following election. First introduced in 2007, this framework acts a means to measure the performance of the government in eleven national outcome areas which include health, poverty, environment and education. It creates a pledge and commitment on the aspirations and aims that government wishes to create within the country, and serves as a means for the government to highlight national priorities and provides an opportunity for the government to evaluate its progress towards achieving the objectives as set out in the National Performance Framework.[26] Each of the National Outcomes is measured by a number of indicators and associated data sets.[30]

Similarly, the Programme for Government is published annually by the incumbent Scottish Government, and it highlights the government's policies, proposed actions and legislation that the government will seek to implement in the forthcoming year.[26]

### Legislation

[edit]

Further information: Lists of acts of the Scottish Parliament

Proposed government legislation and government conduct can be scrutinised by parliamentary committees.

The majority of bills proposed to the Scottish Parliament come from the Scottish Government. The process for introducing bills to the parliament for consideration and debate commences with the government publishing and formulating policy. A bill will only become law in Scotland under Scots law once it has been approved by a majority of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, where it will then be put to the Monarch to receive royal assent. Once royal assent has been given by the Monarch, the bill becomes a law of the Scottish Parliament and becomes embedded in Scots law.[26]

Once a bill is successful in becoming law, the Scottish Government has the responsibility to ensure subordinate legislation, which often comes in the form of Scottish statutory instruments, is implemented accordingly so that the new law begins to work and that any additional measures and features can be added in order to make the law work and ensure its effective implementation and operation.[26]

### Statistics and transparency

[edit]

The Scottish Government publishes statistics based on the majority of public life in Scotland, including, but not limited to, education, the economy, healthcare, population, death, marriages and births, as well as living standards. The government uses such statistics in order to evaluate its work against the data to gauge how successful, or unsuccessful, government policy is and whether it is having the desired impact.[26]

In order to ensure accountability, the Scottish Government publishes information for public consumption in order to ensure the work of the Scottish Government is accessible and transparent for the public. It commits itself to publishing information in areas relating to the spending of public money and creating a breakdown of public spending, the work of senior civil servants in the Scottish Government, including their job titles and salaries, as well as government assessment against objectives in order to highlight how well the government is doing in achieving the targets and objectives it creates through the National Performance Framework and Programme for Government. Additionally, the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 gives the public the right to ask for information relating to the Scottish Government, as well as other public sectors.[26]

## Budget

[edit]

Main article: Scottish budget

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes prepares the 2022–2023 Scottish budget.

The Scottish Government outlines all spending and tax plans in its annual Scottish budget. In Scotland, the fiscal year runs from 1 April until 30 March, with the budget being presented to the Scottish Parliament by the government usually in November. The accompanying Budget Document is featured with the Budget Bill, which sets out the plans in a legal document. Initially, the Budget Bill is first debated by Scottish Parliament MSPs who conduct votes within the Scottish Parliament on any amendments to the bill before voting on the bill to be made into law. Once passed by parliament and given royal assent by the monarch, the Scottish Government thus becomes legally responsible for implementing the expenditure and taxation plans which were detailed within the budget for the coming fiscal year.[31]

The Budget outlines all plans for how the Scottish Government intends to distribute funds to each government department. The government must provide their reasonings for the allocation of funding, and may also decide on changes in tax rates and bands, changes to welfare benefits. The government also proposes any new taxes, additional welfare benefits and public services in the budget. During the 2019-2020 financial year, approximately 58% of total spending in Scotland was spent by both the Scottish Government and local government, in contrast to 41% of funding spent in Scotland by UK government bodies. The tax powers of the Scottish Government contribute towards a significant amount of the funding within the Scottish budget.[31]

The Scottish Government primarily spends in three main categories – Capital, Resource and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME). AME directly contributes £9 billion to the Scottish budget, and includes all levels of funding that are devolved, however, it also continues to be annually funded by the UK Government on the basis of demand. The areas of budget responsibility in which the Scottish Government has most influence over is resource and capital spending. The resource budget is associated primarily with all day-to-day spending required to provide Scottish public services, whilst the capital budget is primarily for any investment in assets and infrastructure around the country. AME spending is usually required to be spent on areas such as NHS employees and teacher pensions, with that funding being ringfenced, meaning that the Scottish Government has very little influence over spending within AME.[31]

The Scottish Government's budget is primarily made up of funding from the following areas:[31]

* Block Grants determined by the Barnett Formula
* Devolved taxes and non-tax income
* Block Grant Adjustments
* Reconciliation payments
* Government borrowing

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government is the minister of the Scottish Government responsible for outlining government spending plans in the annual budget.

## Local government

[edit]

Main articles: Subdivisions of Scotland and Local government in Scotland

Local government in Scotland consists of 32 local authorities which operate independently from the central, devolved Scottish Government. The local authorities, known as councils, provides public services which include education, social care, waste management, libraries and planning in their respective areas. Councils receive their funding from the Scottish Government over a three-year period, however, at times this may be reduced to every one year.[32]

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government is the minister within the Scottish Government responsible for relations between the central Scottish Government and local government across Scotland.

## Elections and voting

[edit]

Main article: Elections in Scotland

Unlike some other countries, Scotland and the Scottish Parliament do not elect one individual to become the first minister, nor does it directly elect members of the government. Rather, the electorate in Scotland voting in parliamentary elections to the Scottish Parliament by voting for one constituency MSP and a regional MSP. In turn, the party with the largest candidates returned to the Scottish Parliament will be asked by the monarch to form a Scottish Government in their name.[33] From 1999 until 2007, the Scottish Government, then known as the Scottish Executive, was headed by a coalition agreement between the Scottish Labour Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats.[34] Since 2007, the Scottish Government has been run by the Scottish National Party, forming a majority government for the first time in the history of the Scottish Government following the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections.[35] In 2007, Alex Salmond became the first politician from the SNP to lead the Scottish Government.[36]

In 2024, the Scottish Government passed the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill which the government claims will "enhance Scotland’s democratic processes". One of the major introductions of the bill is the ban on MSPs also serving as an MP or Peer in the House of Commons whilst serving as an incumbent MSP in the Scottish Parliament.[37] The Scottish Government is directly responsible for all elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government in Scotland.[38] In 2015, the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill allowed all 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland to vote, the first time in which they were eligible to legally vote being the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.[39]

## Structure

[edit]

### The Scottish Government

[edit]

For the current Scottish Government, see Swinney government. For previous Scottish Governments, see List of Scottish Governments.

#### Executive branch

[edit]

* John Swinney (SNP)
First Minister and Keeper of the Great Seal

* Kate Forbes (SNP)
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic

* John-Paul Marks
Permanent Secretary

* Dorothy Bain
Lord Advocate

* Ruth Charteris
Solicitor General

* Shona Robison (SNP)
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

* Angus Robertson (SNP)
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution and External Affairs

* Angela Constance (SNP)
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs

The Scottish Government consists of a first minister, deputy first minister, a number of cabinet secretaries, and a number of other ministers. For statutory purposes, cabinet secretaries, including the deputy first minister, are known as "Ministers", other ministers are known as "junior Scottish Ministers", and the first minister and all of the cabinet secretaries collectively are known as "the Scottish Ministers".[40] Cabinet secretaries are members of the Scottish Cabinet, while other ministers do not usually attend cabinet.[41]

Additionally, the Scottish Government is supported by a permanent secretary, two law officers – the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland – who serve as the chief legal advisers to the government, and the chief of staff to the first minister, as well as several other government officials, personal secretaries and advisers to the Scottish Government and the first minister.[42]

#### First Minister

[edit]

Main article: First Minister of Scotland

Bute House in Edinburgh is the official residence of the first minister.

The head of the Scottish Government is the first minister who also serves as the keeper of the Great Seal whilst in office as first minister. The first minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development and presentation of Scottish Government policy.[43] Additional functions of the first minister include promoting and representing Scotland in an official capacity, at home and abroad.[43] In their capacity as Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, the first minister is one of only a few individuals permitted to fly the Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland.[44]

The first minister is nominated by the Scottish Parliament by fellow MSPs, and is formally appointed by the monarch. The first minister appoints members of the Scottish Cabinet and junior ministers of the Scottish Government. As head of the Scottish Government, the first minister is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament for their actions and the actions of the wider government and cabinet.[45]

The office is held by John Swinney of the Scottish National Party since 7 May 2024.

#### Deputy First Minister

[edit]

Main article: Deputy First Minister of Scotland

The first minister is supported by the deputy first minister who deputises for the first minister during periods of absence, such as when he is attending overseas visits and international engagements, and may act on the first ministers behalf during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament. Whilst serving as deputy first minister, the office holder holds another cabinet position. Currently, Kate Forbes, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, serves as the deputy first minister.[46]

#### Cabinet

[edit]

Main article: Scottish cabinet

The incumbent Scottish Government; May 2024–present

The Scottish Cabinet collectively takes responsibility for policy coordination within the Scottish Government. It is supported by the Cabinet Secretariat, based at St Andrew's House. While the Scottish Parliament is in session, Cabinet meets weekly.[47] Normally meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons in Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister.[48] Members of the Scottish Cabinet receive blue despatch boxes for their use while in office.[49]

There are currently two sub-committees of cabinet:[50]

* Cabinet Sub-Committee on Legislation
* Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) Cabinet Sub-Committee

#### Law officers

[edit]

Main article: Scots law

Further information: Lord Advocate, Solicitor General for Scotland, and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

The Scottish law officers – the Lord Advocate (right) and Solicitor General for Scotland (left)

The Lord Advocate is the principal legal adviser for both the Scottish Government and the Crown in Scotland on civil and criminal matters that fall within the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament. The Lord Advocate provides legal advice to the government on its responsibilities, policies, legislation and the legal implications of any proposals brought forward by the government. The Lord Advocate is responsible for all legal advice which is given to the Scottish Government.[51]

The Lord Advocate serves as the ministerial head of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and as such, is the chief public prosecutor for Scotland with all prosecutions on indictment being conducted by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in the Lord Advocate's name on behalf of the Monarch. The Lord Advocate serves as the head of the systems of prosecutions in Scotland and is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, suspicious, accidental and unexplained deaths which occur within Scotland.[52][53]

The officeholder is regarded as one of the Great Officers of State of Scotland, with the current Lord Advocate being Dorothy Bain KC, who was nominated by first minister Nicola Sturgeon in June 2021.[54]

The Solicitor General for Scotland is one of the Law Officers of the Crown, and the deputy of the Lord Advocate, whose duty is to advise the Scottish Government on Scots law. They are also responsible for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service which together constitute the Criminal Prosecution Service in Scotland. Together with the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor General for Scotland is one of the senior legal advisors to the government in Scotland.[55] Whilst the Solicitor General for Scotland supports the Lord Advocate in their functions, the Solicitor General may also exercise their statutory and common law powers when necessary.[56] The incumbent Solicitor General for Scotland is Ruth Charteris KC.

The Scottish law officers are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the incumbent first minister, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament. They need not be members of the Scottish Parliament.[57]

### Civil service

[edit]

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with the permanent secretary John-Paul Marks, the most senior civil servant in Scotland

In addition to the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Government is supported by a number of officials drawn from the UK Civil Service. They are collectively referred to as the Scottish Administration in the Scotland Act 1998. According to 2012 reports, there are 16,000 civil servants working in core Scottish Government directorates and agencies.[58]

A total of eight director–generals head Scotland's civil service department. Each director–general is responsible for a number of directorates and agencies of the Scottish Government and are directly accountable for the legislation proposals, as well as implementing government policy into practice. Public bodies (non–ministerial departments of the Scottish Government) are the responsibility of the senior civil servants as opposed to Scottish Government ministers.[59]

The civil service is a matter reserved to the British parliament at Westminster (rather than devolved to Holyrood): Scottish Government civil servants work within the rules and customs of His Majesty's Civil Service, but serve the Scottish Government rather than British government.[60]

#### Permanent Secretary

[edit]

Main article: Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government

The office of the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, the most senior civil servant in Scotland, in St Andrews House

The Permanent Secretary is the Scottish Government's most senior civil servant. They lead the administration's strategic board as well as directly support the first minister and cabinet and is the accountable officer with responsibility to ensure that the government's money and resources are used effectively and properly.[61] The current permanent secretary is Joe Griffin, who succeeded John-Paul Marks in April 2025.[62]

The Permanent Secretary is a member of the UK Civil Service, and therefore takes part in the UK-wide Permanent Secretaries Management Group under the Cabinet Secretary who performs a number of similar functions in relation to the UK Government. The Scottish Government's Permanent Secretary is responsible to the Scottish Ministers in terms of policy.[63]

#### Strategic Board

[edit]

The strategic board is composed of the permanent secretary, the seven directors-general, two chief advisers (scientific and economic) and four non-executive directors. The board is responsible for providing support to the government through the permanent secretary, and is the executive of the Scottish civil service.[64]

#### Directorates

[edit]

Main article: Directorates of the Scottish Government

The Scottish Government is divided into 55 directorates which execute government policy in specified areas. Unlike in the British government, senior ministers do not lead government departments and have no direct role in the operation of the directorates. The directorates are grouped together into eight "Directorates General", each run by a senior civil servant who is titled a "Director-General". As of February 2024, there are eight Directorates General, and supporting these directorates are a variety of other corporate service teams and professional groups.[65]

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service serves as an independent prosecution service in Scotland, and is a ministerial department of the Scottish Government. It is headed by the Lord Advocate, who is, along with the procurators fiscal, responsible for prosecution under Scots law.

#### Executive Agencies

[edit]

Main article: Executive agencies of the Scottish Government

To deliver its work, there are 10 executive agencies established by ministers as part of government departments, or as departments in their own right, to carry out a discrete area of work.[66] These include, for example, the Scottish Prison Service and Transport Scotland. Executive agencies are staffed by civil servants.

There are two non-ministerial departments that form part of the Scottish administration, and therefore the devolved administration, but answer directly to the Scottish Parliament rather than to ministers: these are the General Register Office for Scotland and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

#### Public Bodies

[edit]

Main article: Public bodies of the Scottish Government

The Scottish Government is also responsible for a large number of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). These include executive NDPBs (e.g. Scottish Enterprise); advisory NDPBs (e.g. the Scottish Law Commission); tribunals (e.g. the Children's Panel and Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland); and nationalised industries (e.g. Scottish Water). These are staffed by public servants, rather than civil servants.

The Scottish Government is also responsible for some other public bodies that are not classed as non-departmental public bodies, such as NHS Boards, visiting committees for Scottish penal establishments, and HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland.

## Offices

[edit]

The headquarters building of the Scottish Government is St Andrew's House, which is located on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Some other government directorates are based at Victoria Quay and Saughton House in Edinburgh, and Atlantic Quay in Glasgow. The head offices of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Lord Advocate's Chambers are at Chambers Street in central Edinburgh.

There are numerous other Edinburgh properties occupied by the Scottish Government. Both the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Scottish Human Rights Commission are based in the old Governor's House on the site of the former Calton Gaol, next door to St. Andrew's House on Regent Road. Other offices are scattered around central Edinburgh, including Bute House on Charlotte Square, the official residence of the first minister.

All Ministers and officials have access to Scotland House at Victoria Embankment in London, when necessary. Dover House on Whitehall is now used by the Scotland Office and the devolved Scottish Ministers no longer use it.[24]

The Scottish Government also operates local offices and specialist facilities around Scotland, for example those used by Rural Payments & Services[67] and Marine Scotland.

* St Andrew's House, headquarters of the Scottish Government

* Victoria Quay, offices of the Scottish Government

* Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister

* Scottish Government offices at 5 Atlantic Quay in Glasgow

* Government offices at Saughton House in Edinburgh

## International network

[edit]

Main article: International relations of Scotland

Network of Scottish Government offices worldwide

The Scottish Government has a European Union representative office, located at Rond-Point Robert Schuman in Brussels, Belgium, which forms a part of the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union.[68] The Scottish Government also maintains offices within the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as the British Embassy in Berlin and has accredited representatives within the British Embassy in Beijing.

Scotland has a network of eight international offices across the world located in:[69]

* Beijing (Scottish Government Beijing Office, British Embassy)
* Berlin (Scottish Government Berlin Office)
* Brussels (Scotland House Brussels)
* Copenhagen (Scottish Government Copenhagen Office)[70]
* Dublin (Scottish Government Dublin Office, British Embassy)
* Ottawa (Scottish Government Ottawa Office, British High Commission)
* Paris (Scottish Government Office, British Embassy)
* Washington DC (Scottish Government Washington DC Office, British Embassy)

## Responsibilities

[edit]

Main article: Responsibilities of the Scottish Government

Further information: Devolved, reserved and excepted matters

The responsibilities of the Scottish Ministers broadly follow those of the Scottish Parliament provided for in the Scotland Act 1998 and subsequent UK legislation. Where pre-devolution legislation of the UK Parliament provided that certain functions could be performed by UK Government ministers, these functions were transferred to the Scottish Ministers if they were within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government's main areas for responsibility in the country include education, health and social care, Scots law, policing and justice, emergency services including the fire and ambulance services, local government, taxation, housing, rural affairs, home affairs, tourism, sport, culture, parliamentary elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government, the crown estate, some social security powers and rail franchising, amongst a considerable amount of others.[71]

The 1998 Act also provided for orders to be made allowing Scottish Ministers to exercise powers of UK Government ministers in areas that remain reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Equally the Act allows for the Scottish Ministers to transfer functions to the UK Government ministers, or for particular "agency arrangements". This executive devolution means that the powers of the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament are not identical.[72]

The members of the Scottish government have substantial influence over legislation in Scotland, putting forward the majority of bills that are successful in becoming Acts of the Scottish Parliament.[73]

## See also

[edit]

Portals:

* Politics
* Scotland
* United Kingdom

### Acts of Parliament relating to the Scottish Government

[edit]

* Scotland Act 1998
* Scotland Act 2012
* Scotland Act 2016

### Workings of the Scottish Government

[edit]

* Devolved, reserved and excepted matters
* Joint Ministerial Committee
* Local income tax
* Council of Economic Advisers (Scotland)
* Scottish Broadcasting Commission
* Scottish devolution
* Scottish Social Attitudes Survey

### Scottish Government campaigns

[edit]

* 2014 Scottish independence referendum
* Edinburgh Agreement

### History of the Scottish Government

[edit]

* Kingdom of Scotland
* Politics of Scotland
* Parliament of Scotland
* Parliament House, Edinburgh
* Union of the Crowns
* Treaty of Union 1707
* History of Scottish devolution

## Notes

[edit]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Scottish Budget 2023 to 2024: guide". www.gov.scot. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
2. ^ Jeffery, Charlie (2009). The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade. Luath Press. ISBN 978-1906817213.
3. ^ "Scotland Act 1998". The National Archives. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
4. ^ "5 reasons why Scotland is more powerful as part of the United Kingdom". GOV.UK. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
5. ^ "About the Scottish Government". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
6. ^ "2. Ministers and The Government - Scottish Ministerial Code 2023 Edition". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
7. ^ "Cabinet and Ministers". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
8. ^ "Scottish Privy Council Records". spcr.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
9. ^ Mackie (1978) harvp error: no target: CITEREFMackie1978 (help).
10. ^ Thomas (2012), pp. 200–202 harvp error: no target: CITEREFThomas2012 (help).
11. ^ Brown, Tanner & Mann (2004), pp. 1–28 harvp error: no target: CITEREFBrownTannerMann2004 (help)
12. ^ Wormald (1991), p. 21 harvp error: no target: CITEREFWormald1991 (help).
13. ^ a b "The Articles, constitution and trade". parliament.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
14. ^ a b "The path to devolution". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
15. ^ Mitchell, J.; Denver, D.; Pattie, C.; Bochel, H. (1998). "The 1997 Devolution Referendum in Scotland". Parliamentary Affairs. 51 (2): 166–181\. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.pa.a028782.
16. ^ "Scottish Referendums". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
17. ^ "Devolution and Scotland | UK and Scottish governments". Delivering for Scotland. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
18. ^ "What the Scottish Government does". Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
19. ^ "Devolved and Reserved Powers". Parliament.scot. Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
20. ^ Leith, Murray (12 October 2024). "Alex Salmond: Scotland's first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner for independence". The Conversation. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
21. ^ Britten, Nick (10 January 2001). "Fury at bid to rename Scottish Executive". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2013. "Henry McLeish, the First Minister, threatened to set himself on a collision course with Tony Blair by wanting to rename the Executive the Scottish Government. The proposal caused an immediate split in Labour ranks and left McLeish facing allegations of arrogance and over-ambition. Scotland Office minister Brian Wilson said that the First Minister should think carefully about using the term "government". He said: "Maybe they should take time to look at how other countries with two tiers of government handle this. Nobody in Germany has any difficulty distinguishing between the government and the devolved administrations.""
22. ^ "Annual Report and Accounts: 2009–10" (PDF). Accountant in Bankruptcy. 4 August 2010. p. 61\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
23. ^ "AGREEMENT between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government on a referendum on independence for Scotland" (PDF). HM Government and the Scottish Government. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
24. ^ a b "Dover House base for Scottish Secretary and Advocate General" (Press release). The Scottish Government. 8 March 1999. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
25. ^ "MSPs pass Brexit bill to 'keep pace' with EU laws". BBC News. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
26. ^ a b c d e f g "What the Scottish Government does". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
27. ^ "How a Bill becomes an Act". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
28. ^ "The Scottish Budget Process". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
29. ^ "Difference between Parliament and Government". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
30. ^ UWS-Oxfam Partnership, Towards a Scotland that cares: A new National Outcome on care for the National Performance Framework, published November 2021, accessed 20 February 2023
31. ^ a b c d Institute, Fraser of Allander. "Scottish Budget Guide". FAI. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
32. ^ "Local government". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
33. ^ "How MSPs are elected". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
34. ^ "The Final Year of the Coalition" (PDF). Institute for Government. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
35. ^ Hardacre, Jeremy; Sandford, Mark (2 April 2025). "Scottish Parliament Elections: 2011". Retrieved 4 February 2025.
36. ^ Tempest, Matthew (16 May 2007). "Salmond elected first minister". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
37. ^ "Modernising Scottish elections". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
38. ^ "Devolved and Reserved Powers". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
39. ^ "Votes at 16 passed by Scottish Parliament". Holyrood Website. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
40. ^ UK Legislation, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1750/article/2 The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc. ) Order 1999, Article 2], accessed on 20 November 2024
41. ^ "Who runs government". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
42. ^ "Cabinet and Ministers". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
43. ^ a b "About the Scottish Government > Who runs government > First Minister". Scottish Government. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
44. ^ "The Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland". www.royal.uk. The Royal Family. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
45. ^ "Appointment and Role". firstminister.gov.scot. Office of the First Minister of Scotland. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
46. ^ "Deputy First Minister". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
47. ^ "Guide to Collective Decision Making". Scottish Government. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
48. ^ "Lord Advocate excluded from new Cabinet". The Scotsman. 22 May 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
49. ^ "Despatch boxes used by Scottish Government Ministers, cost and number: FOI release – gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
50. ^ "Current Cabinet Sub-Committees". The Scottish Government. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
51. ^ "Lord Advocate: role and functions". Gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
52. ^ "Our role in investigating deaths". COPFS. Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
53. ^ "Dorothy Bain QC nominated Scotland's new Lord Advocate". Press & Journal. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
54. ^ "Dorothy Bain QC named as Scotland's new lord advocate". BBC News. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
55. ^ "The role of Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service". Health and Safety Executive. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
56. ^ "Solicitor General". Gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
57. ^ "Lord Advocate: role and functions". Scottish Government. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
58. ^ Peterkin, Tom (5 June 2013). "Independent Scotland civil service '£700m a year'". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
59. ^ "Government structure". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
60. ^ "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions". The Scottish Government. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
61. ^ "Government structure – gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
62. ^ "Permanent Secretary". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
63. ^ "Permanent Secretary". The Scottish Government. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
64. ^ "Strategic Board". The Scottish Government. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
65. ^ "Directorates". The Scottish Government. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
66. ^ "National Public Bodies Directory". Scottish Government. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
67. ^ "Rural Payments – Contact Us". The Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
68. ^ "Scotland in the EU". The Scottish Government. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
69. ^ "International relations". Scot.Gov.
70. ^ Carmichael, Hannah (26 August 2022). "Nicola Sturgeon visits Copenhagen to officially open a Nordic Office". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022.
71. ^ "Devolved and Reserved Powers". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
72. ^ "Devolution Guidance Note 11 – Ministerial Accountability after Devolutio" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. November 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
73. ^ "How the Scottish Parliament Works". gov.scot. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.

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* Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
* Scottish Agricultural Wages Board
* Scottish Canals
* Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
* Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
* Scottish Enterprise
* Scottish Environment Protection Agency
* Scottish Funding Council
* Scottish Futures Trust
* Scottish Land Commission
* Scottish Legal Aid Board
* Scottish Legal Complaints Commission
* Scottish National Investment Bank
* Scottish Qualifications Authority
* Scottish Rail Holdings
* Scottish Social Services Council
* Skills Development Scotland
* South of Scotland Enterprise
* sportscotland
* VisitScotland
* Water Industry Commission for Scotland

* v
* t
* e

Advisory non-departmental public bodies of the Scottish Government

* Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland
* Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland
* Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland
* Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards
* Scottish Commission on Social Security
* Scottish Law Commission

* v
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Tribunals of Scotland

Devolved tribunals|

* Upper Tribunal for Scotland
* First-tier Tribunal for Scotland
* Children's panels
* Council Tax Reduction Review Panel
* Lands Tribunal for Scotland
* Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland
* NHS Tribunal
* Parole Board for Scotland
* Pensions Appeals Tribunal
* Police Appeals Tribunal
* Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal
* Valuation Appeal Committee

Reserved tribunals|

* First-tier Tribunal
* Upper Tribunal
* Employment tribunals
* Employment Appeal Tribunal

Tribunal administration|

* Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
* Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service

* v
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Public corporations of the Scottish Government

* Caledonian Maritime Assets
* Crown Estate Scotland
* Glasgow Prestwick Airport
* Scottish Water

* v
* t
* e

British–Irish Council

Good Friday Agreement

Member jurisdictions|

* United Kingdom
* Ireland
* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Northern Ireland
* Scotland
* Wales

Member bodies|

* Government of the United Kingdom
* Government of Ireland
* Policy and Resources Committee of Guernsey
* Isle of Man Government
* Government of Jersey
* Northern Ireland Executive
* Scottish Government
* Welsh Government

Work areas|

* Demography
* eHealth
* Environment
* Indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages
* Knowledge economy
* Misuse of drugs
* Social inclusion
* Tourism
* Transport

Representatives of states|

* Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
* Taoiseach (of Ireland)
* President of the Policy and Resources Committee of Guernsey
* Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
* Chief Minister of Jersey
* First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
* First Minister of Scotland
* First Minister of Wales

* v
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* e

Scotland articles

* Outline of Scotland

History|

* Timeline
* Prehistoric
* Roman times
* Middle Ages
* Early Middle Ages
* Kingdom
* High Middle Ages
* Davidian Revolution
* Wars of Independence
* Late Middle Ages
* Renaissance
* Early modern
* Reformation
* Colonisation of the Americas
* Glorious Revolution
* Treaty of Union
* 1707 Acts of Union
* Jacobitism
* Enlightenment
* Lowland Clearances
* Highland Clearances
* Industrial Revolution
* Romanticism
* Modern

Geography|

* Anglo-Scottish border
* Central Belt
* Climate
* Conservation
* Fauna
* Flora
* Geology
* Highlands
* Islands
* Lochs
* Lowlands
* Mountains and hills
* highest
* Protected areas
* Waterfalls
* Glens
* Ecoregions
* Biosphere reserves
* Environment
* Municipalities
* Munro

Politics|

| Government|

| Politics|

* Government
* list of governments
* international relations
* Devolution
* Elections
* electoral system
* First Minister
* Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland
* Deputy First Minister
* Great Seal of Scotland
* Human rights
* LGBT rights
* Independence
* Local government
* history
* cities
* Armed forces
* military history
* Monarchs
* Members of Parliament
* Parliament
* Member of the Scottish Parliament
* Political parties
* Republicanism
* Scotland Office
* Secretary of State
* Nationalism
* Unionism

|

Law|

* Advocate General
* Courts (List)
* Supreme Courts of Scotland (Court of Session, High Court of Justiciary, Office of the Accountant of Court)
* Crown Office
* Lord Advocate
* Lord President
* Procurator fiscal
* Solicitor General
* Sheriff principal
* College of Justice
* Scots property law
* Udal law
* Prison population
* Police Scotland

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Bank of Scotland
* Charities
* Companies
* Fishing
* Forestry
* Harris Tweed
* Housing
* Media
* Oil industry (North Sea oil)
* Power stations
* Renewable energy
* Royal Bank of Scotland
* Tourism
* Transport
* Whisky
* Silicon Glen
* Unemployment
* International trade

Society|

| Culture|

* Architecture
* Art
* Clans
* Cuisine
* Education
* Curriculum for Excellence
* schools
* colleges
* universities
* Scottish Qualifications Authority
* Education Scotland
* Hogmanay
* Identity
* Inventions and discoveries
* Literature
* Museums
* Music
* Oldest buildings
* Performing arts
* Philosophy
* Placenames
* Prostitution
* Royal National Mòd
* Sport
* Surnames
* Symbols
* anthem
* coat of arms
* flags
* national flag
* tartan
* regimental
* unicorn
* World Heritage Sites
* Festivals
* Comedy

|

Demographics|

| Languages|

* Highland English
* Scottish English
* Scottish Gaelic
* Scots
* British Sign Language

|

People (list)|

* Actors
* Artists
* Inventors
* Musicians
* Scientists
* Writers

Religion|

* Baháʼí Faith
* Buddhism
* Christianity
* Christmas
* Church of Scotland
* General Assembly
* moderators
* Roman Catholicism
* Scottish Episcopal Church
* Baptist Union
* Free Church of Scotland
* Hinduism
* Islam
* Judaism
* Sikhism
* Ethnic minorities

* Outline

* Category
* Portal

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Norway
* Israel

Artists|

* ULAN

Other|

* IdRef

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