As the U.K. redefines its post-Brexit economic identity, the Scottish nation is carving out its own path, leveraging global partnerships, investor-friendly frameworks, and bold ambitions to become a magnet for international capital.
Government-backed incentives, robust infrastructure, and a strong track record of foreign direct investment make now a critical time for U.S. investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to take a closer look. As the global economy undergoes a seismic shift—toward cleaner energy, smarter technology, and resilient supply chains—Scotland is uniquely positioned to lead.
With global pressures demanding smarter, greener, more resilient investment strategies, there’s never been a better time to take a closer look at what the land of the braces has to offer. Highlighting its success story will provide global investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers with valuable insights into the country’s evolving business climate and its vast untapped potential.
5.49 million
Population
19
universities
£187 billion
GDP (2022)
4.2 %
Unemployment rate
£702 per week
Average wage (2023)
38.4 TWh
Renewable electricity production
Interviews
Interview with Hon. John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland
"During my recent visit to the US, just after President Trump’s tariff announcement, I was struck by the continued appetite for bilateral investment despite broader uncertainty. My message to the Scottish government is clear: we must present strong, compelling investment opportunities, regardless of global volatility."
22 October, 2025
Interview with Jeffrey Sharkey, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Scotland
"Our alumni appear in global productions like Outlander or Department Q, while films like Avengers and Spider-Man shoot in Glasgow, bringing worldwide attention. At the same time, our students and graduates are creating original work for theatres across Scotland and shaping the next generation of musicians and performers."
22 October, 2025
Interview with Ryan Scatterty, CEO Thistle Seafoods, Scotland
"We are likely the only seafood company employing four Michelin-star chefs globally. They explore food trends worldwide, from Moroccan spices to Southeast Asian flavors to Texas barbecue, and blend the best tastes with our seafood. Our strong product development team is a key pillar of Thistle Seafoods and sets us apart in the industry."
22 October, 2025
Interview with Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews, Scotland
"We see our students as global citizens and believe great institutions must evolve to stay relevant. St Andrews offers students highly personalised tuition, taught by leading researchers who know them by name. "
22 October, 2025
Interview with Jennifer Craw, CEO, Opportunity North East (ONE), Scotland
"A welcoming environment and skilled talent are key to attracting foreign direct investment. Aberdeen offers both, with an international community built on oil and gas, strengthened by university research, medical science and now digital tech. Access to this talent pool, combined with technical know-how and proximity to key markets, makes the regio
22 October, 2025
Interview with Jo McIntosh, Director of Sales & Marketing, JBS Group, Scotland
"We truly understand and enjoy the US market, whereas many Scottish companies find it intimidating. Two of our three main business partners are American, which shows how central the US is to us. "
22 October, 2025
Interview with Ewen Wardman, CEO, iLivestock, Scotland
"When people think of agritech, they imagine robots, but outside dairy, that’s not very relevant. Farmers need smart solutions that act like a co-pilot, helping them make better decisions from farm data. If you can build agritech that works effectively in Scotland and adds real value, it’s likely to succeed anywhere in the world."
22 October, 2025
Interview with Richard Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland
"We are proud to have thousands of alumni in the USA, especially in New York, Houston and California. Many come from finance and engineering backgrounds, with Houston focusing on energy engineering. Brewing and distilling also attract many US students. These fields remain key strengths for us. "
21 October, 2025
Interview with Penny Macbeth, Director and Principal, Glasgow School of Art (GSA), Scotland
"More than 60% of our graduates choose to stay here after they finish their studies. We have many examples of our graduates’ entrepreneurial success. Some of our product and engineering alumni not only run innovative businesses, but have also launched accelerator programs to help others grow."
21 October, 2025
Interview with Maggie McGinlay, ETZ, Scotland
"As we transition to low-carbon and green energy, Scotland brings valuable experience in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, while offering attractive investment opportunities for North American investors."
21 October, 2025
Interview with Sue Rigby, Principal and Vice Chancellor, Edinburgh Napier University (ENU)
“No funding challenge will stop us from doing our job; Scottish universities know their purpose and have a clear contract with the government.”
21 October, 2025
Interview with Steve Olivier, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Robert Gordon University (RGU), Scotland
"RGU stands out for its exceptional graduate employability — in the recent past we have ranked top in Scotland and third in the UK for graduate employability, with around 97% of our graduates in employment or further study 15 months after graduation."
21 October, 2025
Interview with Hamish Rowan, CEO, Wilkie, Scotland
"I believe Scotland offers an incredibly compelling proposition for foreign investors today. We have technical expertise, a skilled workforce, strong government support and a clear focus on sustainability and innovation. Scotland’s manufacturing sector isn’t just about tradition, it’s forward-looking and ready to play a significant role in global m
20 October, 2025
Interview with Mark Kent, Chief Executive Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)
"Scotch brings people together, it’s part of Scotland’s soft power. In my diplomatic career, I never met anyone who didn’t like Scotland. There is a genuine warmth toward the country and Scotch plays a big role in that."
01 August, 2025
Interview with Iain Baxter, CEO, Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D)
"Food and drink is Scotland’s largest manufacturing sector and innovation is thriving, especially in areas like net zero and primary production. The whisky industry is leading in carbon capture, while dairy is advancing through new breeding technologies and infrastructure."
14 July, 2025
Interview with Rodney Ayre, President, Scottish Chamber of Commerce
"Scotland has a proud legacy of innovation from Alexander Graham Bell to Charles Wilson’s cloud chamber. Today, we are leading in sectors like digital, AI, advanced manufacturing, space and green energy. We are set to become a net exporter of green energy, with projects like a new green hydrogen plant near Glasgow Airport focused on international m
11 July, 2025
Interview with Prof. Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice Chancellor, University of Glasgow
"Glasgow is reinventing itself, much like Boston has done multiple times — shifting from shipbuilding to life sciences, FinTech, quantum technology and advanced manufacturing. We are building international partnerships, driving innovation, including through transformative ventures like med-tech spinouts."
07 July, 2025
Interview with Vicki Miller, Chief Executive President Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland
“Tourism is our largest employer and a £10.8 billion pillar of Scotland’s economy—supporting everything from food and drink to the creative industries.”
03 July, 2025
Interview with Claire McPherson, Director Universities Scotland
“Scotland ranks fifth globally for top-100 universities—and draws over 6,000 U.S. students each year to its world-class campuses.”
03 July, 2025
Media
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Established in 1847 and ranked as the world’s sixth-best performing arts school in 2025, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is among only a few institutions worldwide to offer degrees across the full range of performing and production arts.
23 October, 2025
St. Andrews University, Scotland
St Andrews is Scottish University of the Year and second in the UK in both Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and The Guardian University Guide 2026.
22 October, 2025
The Glasgow School of Art, Scotland
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe's top university-level institutions in the visual creative disciplines.
22 October, 2025
Thistle Seafoods Ltd., Scotland
Thistle Seafoods is a highly innovative, private label manufacturer of chilled and frozen coated and value added seafood products whose origins date back to 1947.
22 October, 2025
Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland
With more than 250 undergraduate and postgraduate courses and nearly 20,000 students from over 145 countries studying on campus in Edinburgh, online and at partner universities worldwide, Edinburgh Napier University delivers meaningful, difference-making education and research for a rapidly changing world.
22 October, 2025