Is Scotland a country?

Yes, Scotland is a country. Let's dig a little more into Scotland's country status and try to make sense of the United Kingdom's complicated structure... without getting too political!

Scotland is a country but not an independent country (yet!) as it exists within the framework of The United Kingdom. It retains its own legal system, its own parliament, a strong national identity and a unique Scottish culture that sets it apart from the rest of the UK.

Is Scotland a Country, a Nation, or a State?

This is where things get confusing, because these three words mean different things depending on who you ask.

A country is a geographic area with its own identity, borders, and people. Scotland ticks every box here. A nation refers to a group of people who share a common culture, language, and history. Scotland ticks that box too. A state (or sovereign state) is a country that governs itself completely, with no higher authority over it. This is the one Scotland doesn't currently have.

So Scotland is both a country and a nation, but it is not a sovereign state. The United Kingdom is the sovereign state, and Scotland is one of four countries within it. Think of it this way: Scotland is a country inside a country.

Is Scotland Part of England?

No. This is a common misconception, particularly outside the UK, and one that will get you into trouble if you say it in Scotland. Scotland and England are two completely separate countries. They share a land border, they share a monarch, and they're both part of the United Kingdom, but Scotland is not and has never been part of England.

England does not "own" Scotland either. The two countries entered into a political union in 1707 through the Acts of Union. Before that, Scotland had been an independent kingdom for over 800 years. The relationship is a partnership within the UK, not ownership.

Scotland, England, Great Britain, and the UK: What's the Difference?

These terms get mixed up constantly, so here's a clear breakdown:

Scotland is a country in the northern third of the island of Great Britain. England is a country in the southern two-thirds. Great Britain is the island that contains Scotland, England, and Wales. It's a geographic term, not a political one. The United Kingdom is the political union of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The "British Isles" is simply a geographic name for the group of islands that includes Great Britain and Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east.

Is Scotland Part of the UK?

Yes. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a unitary sovereign country, meaning it is run by a single central government that is ultimately supreme over all matters. Four countries currently make up the UK: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland is the second-largest country in the UK and covers the northern third of the British mainland, accounting for about 8.3% of the population.

The UK Parliament in England at Westminster is the main supreme parliament/government; however, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have gained some self-autonomy through a process called devolution with their own devolved governments.

So Scotland has two types of politicians in two different parliaments. We send MPs (Members of Parliament) to Westminster; they are responsible for their Scottish constituents for their area for UK-wide issues. We have MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh); they represent constituents for areas of Scotland, but this time just in the Scottish Parliament. So as an example, currently, in the Moray region, Douglas Ross MP represents us at the British Government / Westminster UK government and Richard Lochhead MSP at the Scottish Parliament.

There are currently 129 MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament: 73 constituency MSPs and 56 regional list MSPs. What county is Edinburgh in?

When Did Scotland Become a Country?

Scotland actually predates England. It became a sovereign state in the 9th century and existed as an independent country until 1707. England would not exist as a country until 927 AD. Here are the key dates in Scotland's history as a country:

• 843 AD - Kenneth MacAlpin unites the Picts and Scots, forming the Kingdom of Alba (Scotland).

• 1320 - The Declaration of Arbroath asserts Scotland's independence and sovereignty.

• 1603 - James VI of Scotland inherits the crown of England and Ireland, forming a personal union of the three kingdoms.

• 1707 - The Acts of Union create the Kingdom of Great Britain, merging the Scottish and English parliaments.

• 1999 - The Scottish Parliament is re-established through devolution.

• 2014 - Scotland holds an independence referendum. The result: 55% No, 45% Yes.

In 1707 a political union was formed with England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. The new Parliament of Great Britain succeeded both existing parliaments in Scotland and England.

Is Scotland an Independent Country?

No, not yet. Scotland is a country, but not an independent country in control of all powers available. Nearly half the people in Scotland feel Scotland could run itself better and be more prosperous if it had full control over all the powers a country normally has.

There has always been a portion of the population fighting for Scottish independence since Scotland joined the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, and today are represented by the SNP (Scottish National Party), Scottish Greens, and Alba political parties. The Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties are all vehemently against Scottish independence.

With the discovery of vast oil deposits in the North Sea to the North and East of Scotland in the 1970s, independence supporters used it as an opportunity to push for independence. A study named the McCrone Report was commissioned by the UK Government at this time and found that Scotland would have been one of the wealthiest countries in the world if it chose to be an independent country due to the immense oil revenues collected. The report was not made public until 2005.

A referendum was held in 2014, asking the question, "Should Scotland be an independent country?". It was a tight race, but Scotland's population voted "No" with 55% of the vote; Scotland chose to remain part of the United Kingdom but received some further devolution of powers. Scotland remained in the UK, but the independence campaigners fight on, seeking full Scottish control of the country.

The Scotland Act

As a result of the "No" vote in 2014, the Scotland Act followed in 2016 and devolved more powers were granted to the Scottish Government, mainly powers over Taxation.

Since 2014 the independence movement has not died away, with many polls showing for the first time a pro-independence percentage of 58%, an increase of 13% since 2014. This has mainly been down to a disparity with UK government policies such as Brexit (The United Kingdom leaving the European Union).

A majority of Scots voted to remain in the EU, while England and Wales voted to leave. Scotland voted to remain by 62%, and Northern Ireland also voted to remain at 55%. Being forced to leave the EU has driven support for independence and will likely lead to another independence referendum.

Many European countries have spoken out in support of Scotland rejoining the EU upon attaining independence from the United Kingdom.

Update - A second independence referendum was announced by Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon on the 28th of June 2022. The date of this new vote was the 19th of October, 2023. Sadly the high court ruled that the Scottish Government did not have the power to hold a referendum, and the SNP backtracked on their promise of using the 2024 general election as a "de facto referendum" on the sole issue of independence. It now seems likely that a majority win in 2024 for the SNP/Greens will lead to yet another Section 30 request to hold another referendum on independence before 2026.

What is Devolution? Does Scotland Have Its Own Government?

Yes, Scotland has had its own parliament and government since 1999, based at Holyrood in Edinburgh. The Scottish Government is led by the First Minister and is responsible for devolved matters. But what does "devolved" actually mean?

Devolution is a process of giving more powers of self-governance to the constituent countries' governments/parliament. So over time, governing powers have been granted to The Scottish Parliament in Scotland, The Senedd / Welsh Government in Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly in Northern Ireland.

An example in Scotland would be health matters being devolved from Westminster, so the Scottish Parliament would have powers over our Scottish NHS (National Health Service). The Scottish Government recently gained the ability to set the rate of income tax for Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament controls:

• Transport and Taxation

• Consumer advocacy and advice

• Equal opportunities

• Environment

• Housing

• Rural affairs

• Justice/criminal and civil law and home affairs/courts/prosecution

• Health (Why do Scotland get free prescriptions? / Free sanitary products for women)

• Education (Free education at Scottish universities)

• The Economy

For everything else (defence, foreign affairs, immigration, broadcasting), decisions are made by the UK Government at Westminster. The Scottish Parliament cannot currently control foreign or domestic trade but can pass laws in most of the devolved areas above.

It's a two-tier system. Scotland governs itself on domestic issues but answers to Westminster on reserved matters. This is one of the main reasons the independence debate keeps coming back: many Scots want full control, not just partial control.

Is Scotland Recognised by the UN?

No. Scotland is not a member of the United Nations because it is not an independent sovereign state. The United Kingdom holds the UN membership, and that covers all four constituent countries. Scotland cannot join the UN, NATO, or the European Union independently while it remains part of the UK.

If Scotland voted for independence and became a sovereign state, it would then need to apply for membership of these international organisations separately. Many independence supporters see EU membership as a key goal, particularly after Scotland was taken out of the EU against its will during Brexit.

FAQs on Scotland's Distinct National Status

Here are a few frequently asked questions about Scotland's status as a country.

What is the official language of Scotland?

English is the most widely spoken and official language in Scotland. However, Scotland also has two other native languages: Scottish Gaelic and Scots. While Scottish Gaelic is spoken by a smaller percentage of the population, mainly in the Highlands and Western Isles, Scots is spoken by a larger number of people across the country.

Are laws different in Scotland from the rest of the UK?

Yes, Scotland has always had its own distinct legal system called "Scots Law", different from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Does Scotland have embassies in other countries?

No, Scotland has no embassies in other independent countries. Embassies in other countries are under the banner of the United Kingdom.

Is Scotland still part of the UK?

Yes, Scotland is still part of the UK after Scotland voted "no" to independence in 2014.

When did Scotland join the UK?

Scotland became part of the UK when it was created in 1707 with the Acts of Union.

Does Scotland have its own unique flag?

The Scottish flag, also known as the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross, is a blue field with a white diagonal cross. It represents Scotland's patron saint, St. Andrew, who was believed to have been crucified on a diagonal cross. The Saltire is a symbol of Scottish identity and pride, and it is often flown at public buildings, cultural events, and during sporting competitions.

Is Scotland a separate country from England?

Yes, Scotland and England are completely separate countries. They share a land border and are both part of the United Kingdom, but they have different legal systems, different education systems, and different national identities. Scotland is not and has never been part of England.

Are England and Scotland the same country?

No, they are separate countries but governed within the framework of the United Kingdom's family of countries.

Is Scotland its own country?

Yes, Scotland is its own country with its own parliament, legal system, education system, and strong national identity. However, Scotland is not yet a fully independent sovereign state — it operates within the political union of the United Kingdom, with certain powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament and others reserved to Westminster.

Can Scotland participate in international sporting events as a separate entity?

Yes, Scotland participates in many international sporting events as a separate entity from the rest of the United Kingdom. Scotland has its own national teams in football, rugby, and cricket and competes independently in events like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Rugby World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games. At the Olympics, however, Scottish athletes compete as part of Team GB.

Can I move to Scotland?

Yes, but there are different rules if you are based outside of the UK. Scotland does not have devolved powers over immigration. Please see my dedicated guide on moving to Scotland.

Could Scotland just declare independence?

Please see my article on the UDI/Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

What is the role of the monarchy in Scotland?

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland shares the British monarchy, currently headed by King Charles III. The monarch's role in Scotland is largely ceremonial. While the King has limited powers in Scotland, his role is more focused on representing the country at official events and supporting Scottish traditions and institutions. A poll by Ipsos Scotland in 2022 showed support of 42% for retaining the monarchy.

How does the education system in Scotland differ from the rest of the UK?

Scotland's education system is distinct from those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with its own curriculum, qualifications, and governing bodies. The Scottish education system is structured differently, featuring a broad-based curriculum in the early years, followed by a more specialised focus in the later years of secondary education.

Students in Scotland typically take Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exams, including National Qualifications and Highers, which differ from the GCSEs and A-levels found in other parts of the UK. All Scots receive free education, including college and university, helping it achieve its status as the most highly educated country in Europe.

What is the Scottish economy like, and how does it compare to the rest of the UK?

Scotland has a diverse and developed economy, with key industries including oil and gas, renewable energy, tourism, food and drink, and financial services. While Scotland's overall economic output is smaller than England's due to differences in population size, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is generally similar to or slightly higher than the UK average. The economic relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK is complex, with shared resources, investments, and trade relationships.

Key Information on Scotland's Country Status

• Scotland is a country, but not an independent sovereign state.

• Scotland is not part of England. They are separate countries within the UK.

• Scotland is in a political union known as the United Kingdom with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• The Scottish Parliament has devolved powers over health, education, justice, transport, and more.

• Scotland has MPs for the UK Parliament and MSPs for the Scottish Parliament.

• Scotland has a distinct legal system (Scots Law).

• Scotland is not recognised by the UN as an independent state.

• Pro-independence political parties are the SNP, Greens, and Alba.

• Anti-independence political parties are the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats.

• Scotland may one day become independent from the United Kingdom.

Conclusion

So there we have it, Scotland is a country but within the political union of the United Kingdom. It has its own parliament, its own legal system, its own education system, and its own national identity. What it doesn't have is full sovereignty. If Scotland democratically voted for independence, Scotland would then not only be a country but an independent country with full control over all its affairs.