A TORY minister will travel to the USA to take part in Tartan Day celebrations – amid an ongoing battle over the Scottish Government’s international activities.
John Lamont, a junior minister in the Scotland Office, will attend a parade in New York City celebrating Americans of Scottish extraction on Saturday.
It comes against a backdrop of growing tensions between London and Edinburgh due to the international activities of External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson – dubbed “Air Miles Angus” by hostile tabloids.
UK ministers are reportedly worried Robertson is using his position to promote independence.
Foreign Office officials are reportedly being tasked with holding follow-up meetings with people Robertson meets while abroad.
Why when there is such an important international event, recognising Scottish culture & heritage, have they not sent Ministers before now? UKG does not represent Scottish interests or products internationally, hence the need for our excellent international network @ScotDevInt https://t.co/iKEHpknmN9
— Neil Gray MSP (@neilcgray) April 13, 2023
Responding to the news on social media, Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: "Why when there is such an important international event, recognising Scottish culture and heritage, have [the UK Government] not sent ministers before now?
"[The UK Government] does not represent Scottish interests or products internationally, hence the need for our excellent international network."
Lamont said: "I am very pleased to be representing the UK Government at New York’s Tartan Week.
"It is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Scotland and our world class exports - be they financial services, Scotch or ceilidh dancing.
"The ties between Scotland and the United States are strong and enduring, and events like this showcase the lasting and important friendship between our two countries."
Lamont will march through the streets of the Big Apple, with pipers from the all-female Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in tow.
The troop is made up of two pipers, a fiddle player and four dancers.
Robertson is also attending the parade this weekend, as well as the Kirkin’ of the Tartan at the Brick Church on the Upper East Side.
He will march up 6th Avenue accompanied by Grand Marshal Gail Porter and a group of young musicians from the Edinburgh charity Pulse of the Place.
The minister – who is also the Scottish Constitution and Culture Secretary – will host an event convening graduates of Scottish universities and US firms with connections to Scotland to “discuss enhancing trade and investment opportunities, including in the tech sector”.
He is also expected to set out plans on how the Scottish Government can “engage” with the country’s diaspora.
It does not appear the two will meet while stateside.
