Scotland's Technology Council 2025-26 Report
Scotland’s Technology Council was established in May 2025, tasked with guiding the nation’s tech-driven economic ambitions and future. This is the Council’s first report and sets out Vision 2035: Scotland’s Next Horizon, which aims to position Scotland for global leadership in technology.
Context
Scotland’s Innovation Landscape: A Platform for Global Growth
Scotland has a long-standing heritage of innovation that has reshaped industries and improved lives across the world. From breakthroughs that fuelled the Industrial Revolution to inventions such as the television, the ATM, ultrasound imaging, and modern household technologies, Scotland’s influence is embedded in global progress. Today, that culture of creativity and problem-solving continues to underpin the nation’s economic, social, and technological identity.
Innovation is not simply an aspiration in Scotland, it is a defining characteristic. This legacy, combined with world‑class research, emerging technology clusters, and a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem, positions Scotland strongly to lead in the next wave of global technological transformation.
Our ambition is clear: to ensure that Scotland’s capability and leadership in innovation are recognised internationally, while creating the conditions for founders, companies, and investors to build, scale, and deliver meaningful impact from Scotland to the world.
The council’s recommendations align closely with the four priority themes in Scotland’s Innovation Strategy— Energy Transition, Health & Life Sciences, Data & Digital Technologies, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Specific sections also align well with the recently published Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland: 2035 Vision.
A Nation Built on Technological Strengths
Advanced Manufacturing
Scotland’s long established manufacturing capability accounts for 8.1% of total UK manufacturing GVA, reinforcing the country’s industrial depth and engineering excellence.
The establishment of the DeepTech Supercluster builds on this by creating the conditions for some of our most advanced manufacturing companies to grow to scale right here in Scotland.
Digital Technologies: A Major Economic Driver
The digital technologies sector continues to demonstrate strong national impact, contributing £6.7 billion in economic output in 2023 and representing 5.5% of Scotland’s non-financial business economy. The sector includes around 6,700 registered businesses, employing 67,900 people — reflecting its role as one of Scotland’s most significant and dynamic economic assets.
Energy Transition Leadership
Scotland is a recognised leader in wind, tidal, and hydrogen innovation. Its natural resources, combined with engineering excellence and world-leading research, place the nation at the forefront of the global shift toward clean energy and sustainable technologies.
Financial Services and FinTech: A Mature, Globally Connected Cluster
Scotland is the UK’s second‑largest financial centre and a rapidly growing global fintech hub. The sector is projected to reach £2.1 billion in revenue by 2031, supported by a mature technology ecosystem, strong corporate partnerships, and a deep pool of skilled talent. As one of Scotland’s most established technology clusters, fintech benefits from robust industry collaboration, strong international connections, and a vibrant startup landscape. Together, these strengths continue to attract investment, advance innovation, and reinforce Scotland’s position as a competitive global fintech leader.
Life Sciences
The health and life sciences sector remains one of Scotland’s most advanced and innovative industries. Supported by globally recognised research institutions, the wider life sciences cluster employed approximately 51,000 people in 2023 and continues to produce breakthroughs in biotech, medtech, and clinical innovation.
Quantum, Photonics, Semiconductors & Sensing
Scotland hosts world leading capabilities across quantum technologies, photonics, semiconductors, and advanced sensing. This emerging supercluster — comprising more than 150 companies — generated £4.2 billion in turnover in 2022. Its ambition is to reach £10 billion in turnover and support 17,500 jobs by 2035, anchoring Scotland as a critical technologies’ leader.
Robotics, AI, and Critical Technologies
Scotland is recognised internationally for excellence in robotics and autonomous systems. The National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University, serves as the UK’s leading centre for robotics and AI research, bridging academic, industrial, and commercial innovation to life.
Beyond robotics, Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster — spanning quantum technologies, photonics, semiconductors, sensing, and connectivity — demonstrates the depth of national capability. Its projected growth trajectory highlights Scotland’s potential to shape global markets in advanced computing, communications, and intelligent systems.
Space and Satellite Engineering
Scotland now builds more satellites per capita than any other nation in Europe and is projected to deliver £4 billion in sector revenue by 2035. This fast-growing cluster spans manufacturing, data, launch technologies, and downstream analytics, positioning Scotland as a cornerstone of the UK’s space economy.
Contact
Email: innovation@gov.scot