Scotland’s Place in the World

A ground-breaking new book examining Scotland’s foreign policy footprint by Stephen Gethins, Professor of Practice at the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews, is published this month (Wednesday 17 March 2021).

Professor Gethins has used his extensive network of contacts worldwide and across the political spectrum to bring together a unique insight into Scotland’s future place in the world. Nation to Nation: Scotland’s Place in the World draws on the views of parliamentarians from across Europe, government ministers past and present, diplomats, academics and members of the new White House Team at a time when Scotland’s future is at a crossroads.

The book has received wide acclaim:

• • Mark Muller Stuart, Senior Mediation Advisor to the UN Department of Political Affairs, describes it as “timely and important”

• • writer and broadcaster Billy Kay said the it is “a hugely important book about Scotland’s global reach…”

• • Mariot Leslie, former British Ambassador to NATO, described it as a “substantial and timely contribution”

• • Tom MacLeod, Sky News, called it “a vital contribution to the burgeoning debate surrounding Scottish foreign policy, within or outside the United Kingdom”.

Professor Gethins is particularly well placed to comment on this issue: during his time in Parliament he was at the heart of events in the UK and meeting leaders throughout the world. He spent several years in the House of Commons as the SNP Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Europe during the tumultuous years before and after the UK’s Brexit Referendum. He was also the SNP’s first member of the influential House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Before his time in Parliament Professor Gethins worked in the international NGO sector spending time in areas affected by conflict. He worked in European institutions before returning to Scotland where he was a Special Adviser to Scotland’s First Minister, focusing on International Affairs and Europe as well as Energy and Climate Change.

With Scotland at a crossroads as to its own future, Nation to Nation will help shape debate and discussion as the country seeks a greater role in the world. The book covers a wide range of issues, including:

• • Engaging with Scotland’s diaspora communities and working with them to improve business, education and other links

• • Scotland’s foreign policy development throughout the centuries and in the aftermath of the reestablishment of the Scottish Parliament

• • Experiences from other non-sovereign entities and how they engage in foreign policy, including the Faroe Islands, Québec and Flanders

• • The future of Scottish foreign policy and how the UK could make more of Scotland’s brand and international profile

• • The impact of the UK’s decision to leave the EU on Scotland’s future place in the world and the divergence between Holyrood and Westminster.

Professor Gethins said: “Scotland has a long history of international engagement with partners around Europe and the rest of the world. With the UK leaving the European Union, against the wishes of people living in Scotland, the divergent views that exist between Scotland and the rest of the UK have come into sharp focus.

“Whether we remain part of the UK or not it is important to consider Scotland’s place in the world and how our international affairs evolve over the coming years. I was grateful for all those who spoke to me from around the world, including those from both sides of the constitutional debate in Scotland. I hope that this will help inform the debate going forwards.”