Scottish Connections Advisory Panel minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (AR)
• Murray Leith, University of the West of Scotland (ML)
• Murray Pittock, University of Glasgow (MP)
• Billy Kay (BK)
• Prof. Tanja Bueltmann, Strathclyde University (TB)
• Ian Houston, GlobalScot (IH)
• Andrew, Viscount Dunrossil, Scottish Council of Standing Chiefs (AD)
• Scottish Government Scottish Connections officials, Secretariat (SC)
• Rachel Sunderland, Deputy Director of International Relations, Population and Migration Division, Scottish Government

Items and actions

AR welcomed all to the meeting, reflecting on this being his final day before the pre-election period. MP presented from the Centre for Robert Burns Studies on The Burns Supper at 225 years. This presentation covered the growth of the Burns Supper, and the challenges around recognising the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the international impact of it. Survey responses from all seven continents. 82% of Burns Supper are annual. Further data covered food and features of a Burns Supper. Publicly accessible map of Burns Suppers to launch in July.

Conversation arising covered some anecdotes that related with the findings of MP's research. AR raised the suggestion of a Burns Supper box/starter kit/toolkit for those looking to host one. TB and IH spoke to increasing the reach of Scotland and Burns’ story. AD mentioned the Scottish links to the Alamo.

SC presented on the Scottish Connections communications and marketing update. There has been a shift to less content due to a pivot in focus platforms. Engagement has increased following this. Scottish Connections stories campaign continues. AD mentioned his connection with an academic that is developing a board game based around Scotland’s history. BK spoke to Scottish Connections regarding football and wine the world over.

ML mentioned an upcoming event in Scotland in collaboration with the Royal Society of Edinburgh - and welcomed attendees to join it. 

SC thanked all attendees for their time and engagement and referenced the upcoming pre-election period. 

Actions

• SC to follow up with MP and Pauline Mackay on how to support the Centre of Burns Studies
• SC to follow up with ML on upcoming University of the West of Scotland/University of the West of Scotland event
• SC to follow up with AD on contact with academic developing Scotland history board game
• SC to follow up with National Library on history and diaspora records
• SC to follow up with the Scottish Government USA team on the potential to incorporate content on the Alamo links into the Scots, Stars and Stripes campaign