The Scottish Government

The Scottish Government is Scotland’s devolved administration, accountable to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Led by the First Minister, it develops and delivers policy in areas devolved from Westminster such as health, education, justice, transport, the environment, housing, rural affairs and some taxation. It is headquartered at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh and works through cabinet secretaries, ministers and public bodies. Reserved matters—like defence, immigration and most foreign policy—remain with the UK Government, requiring ongoing intergovernmental coordination. It also produces strategies, budgets and guidance for Scotland’s public services.