Connection, Identity, Opportunity: Scotland & Its Global Family

The Scottish Government describes Scotland’s global diaspora as an “extension of Scotland itself.” This living bridge connects the nation to people, organizations, and communities around the world. New survey findings from 2025 suggest that this metaphor is not merely aspirational. For many in the diaspora, Scotland is not a distant ancestral reference point but a deeply felt emotional home—one that continues to shape identity, values, and aspirations for connection.

Drawing on data collected in spring and summer 2025, this research forms part of a wider program exploring patterns of diaspora engagement that first emerged in an earlier study of Scots living in continental Europe. While the survey was self-selecting and relatively modest in scale, its findings offer rich insight into how different groups within Scotland’s global community understand their relationship with the country—and what they want from it in the future.

Who responded—and why it matters

In total, the survey received 234 responses, including a small number of immigrants currently living in Scotland, reflecting the survey’s broader aim of examining different types of diaspora connections. The largest group of respondents (67%) were individuals of Scottish descent who were not born in Scotland. Most lived in the United States (59.9%), followed by Australia (22.3%) and Canada (10.8%). This group placed a strikingly high value on their Scottish heritage, with an average importance score of 81 out of 100.

While the results should be read as reflective of respondents’ lived experiences rather than statistically representative of the entire diaspora, the consistency of responses across geography and background points to enduring and widely shared themes.

Scotland as “home,” wherever you are

Across all groups, the idea of Scotland as “home” emerged as the survey’s most powerful theme. Two-thirds of respondents reported a strong sense of belonging to Scotland, while a further quarter said their sense of belonging depended on context. For many, this feeling intensified through physical connection: 79% had visited Scotland, and among those, 85% described a profound sense of “coming home.”

Written responses captured the emotional depth of this attachment in vivid, sometimes poetic language. Several respondents spoke of an almost inherited pull toward Scotland—one that surprised even themselves. Others described visceral reactions to landscapes and historic sites, from Culloden to clan gathering places, that brought them unexpectedly to tears. Even among those who had never visited, a sense of deep connection endured, framed as something passed down through family memory, story, and identity.

This emotional bond was often described as spiritual or primal rather than merely nostalgic. Scotland, for many, exists as both a physical place and an internalized sense of belonging that transcends geography.

Identity: strong, shared, and diverse

The survey also revealed a rich and varied understanding of Scottish identity. Some respondents identified almost exclusively as Scottish, often after decades of genealogical research and repeated visits. Others placed Scottishness within a broader, mixed heritage, where it remained a defining but not singular influence.

Many respondents linked their Scottish identity to personal traits and values: independence, resilience, skepticism of authority, and a strong sense of justice recurred frequently. Several saw these qualities as inherited—passed down through family lines shaped by hardship, endurance, and historical struggle. For some, Scotland’s national story of persistence against adversity resonated deeply with their own moral outlook and sense of purpose.

Crucially, this diversity challenges any single, narrow definition of what it means to be Scottish. The diaspora’s connection to Scotland is not uniform, but it is consistently meaningful.

Engagement is high—awareness is not

Despite strong emotional attachment and high levels of participation in Scottish clubs and networks (77% were current members), awareness of Scottish Government diaspora initiatives was strikingly low. Only 31% of respondents were aware of these initiatives, and just 3% had actively used them.

This gap matters. Interest in deeper engagement with Scotland was strong across all groups—yet even among those already involved in diaspora activity, government efforts often remained invisible. The findings suggest a significant communication challenge: if highly motivated individuals struggle to find or recognise existing initiatives, reaching the wider, less-engaged diaspora will be even harder.

Respondents offered clear, practical suggestions. Many called for improved communication and advertising, alongside stronger support for existing diaspora infrastructure, such as clan societies and cultural organizations. These groups, often volunteer-led and long-established, are already doing much of the work of sustaining Scottish identity abroad—and many respondents felt they deserved greater recognition and partnership.

Beyond tourism: reciprocity and respect

While travel and tourism are important dimensions of diaspora engagement, respondents were clear that they do not want to be viewed solely as a source of revenue. Several expressed concern that engagement sometimes feels one-sided, focused more on attracting spending than on supporting communities overseas.

Comparisons with Ireland surfaced repeatedly, with some respondents arguing that the Irish state has been more successful in supporting and empowering its diaspora. Others emphasized the importance of reciprocity: engagement should feel like a relationship, not a transaction.

There was also strong enthusiasm for large-scale, government-supported gatherings in Scotland, particularly clan-based or regionally rotating events. Past experiences of such gatherings were often described as life-defining, and their absence since was keenly felt.

Inclusion, recognition, and political voice

Alongside pride and affection, the survey surfaced sensitivities around belonging and recognition. Some respondents described feeling “gatekept” by Scots in Scotland, particularly when diaspora members—especially Americans—identify strongly as Scottish. These tensions reflect differing understandings of nationality, heritage, and cultural expression, and point to the importance of inclusive language and mutual respect.

A smaller but notable group also raised questions of political connection, including interest in voting rights or pathways to dual citizenship. While complex, these aspirations signal a desire for recognition that extends beyond culture into civic life.

What comes next?

The survey paints a clear picture: Scotland’s diaspora is emotionally invested, culturally active, and eager for deeper connection. The challenge lies not in generating interest but in meeting it with visibility, relevance, and genuine partnership.

Effective engagement will require moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to Scottishness, embracing diversity of identity and experience, and ensuring that initiatives feel meaningful to people’s lives—not just symbolic. Low-cost, creative strategies that build on existing networks, improve access to genealogical resources, and support cultural exchange could yield significant returns.

Above all, sustained connection will depend on reciprocity. When the diaspora feels seen, supported, and included—not merely welcomed home, but valued where they are—the living bridge between Scotland and its global community grows stronger, in both directions.

Download the complete report here:

ScottishDiasporaPublicReport-final.pdf

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