Welcome to the European Movement in Scotland

2025 sees the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) celebrate its 35th birthday.

While there had been an active pro-Europe group in Scotland since the 1950s – that was a branch of the UK-wide European Movement – in 1990 the decision was taken to set up EMiS as a wholly Scottish independent organisation. EMiS would have its own members, its own constitution, governance structures and finances and its own strategies and campaigns.

Consequently, it played a significant role in keeping support for the EU in Scotland at high levels. It was an important player in seeing Scotland vote 62% Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

In the years since the referendum EMiS has ceaselessly kept alive the compelling arguments for Scotland being in the EU, whether Scotland becomes an independent nation or stays part of the United Kingdom.

Since 2016, support for a European future for Scotland has stayed extremely strong. Across the UK, most voters express a desire for much closer engagement with the EU. EMiS and our friends at the European Movement UK have been key driving forces keeping the European cause high on the political agenda.

On our website you can find out more about what we do, an events calendar, newsletters and media coverage, our people and how to join EMiS. Please browse at your leisure. New members and supporters are always welcome.

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Blog

  • Boosting UK trade in one simple step
    Sir Graham Watson and Martin Roche joined forces to write an article on why the UK should rejoin the European Customs Union. The link here is to Bylines Scotland. A shorter version originally appeared in The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday. https://bylines.scot/politics/brexit/boosting-uk-trade-in-one-simple-step/ Picture credit: pixabay.com The European Movement in Scotland… Read More »
  • Where Now for Europe in this New World Disorder?
    This article was first published on 8 January 2026 on Kirsty Hughes’s substack at https://kirstyhughes.substack.com/p/where-now-for-europe-in-this-new. By Kirsty Hughes Today, France’s President Macron dared to criticise the delinquent President of the United States. The US, he said is: “breaking free from the international rules that it used to promote” and, Macron… Read More »
  • Culture is the compass and catalyst for a sustainable urban future
    Bailie Annette Christie, Glasgow City Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations and Chair of Glasgow Life, reflects one year on from her previous Op-Ed on Glasgow’s 850th anniversary and the new European Culture Compass in her role as the Eurocities Shadow Commissioner for Sustainable Culture and Chair of the network’s Culture… Read More »
  • Scotland’s EU Engagement
    A printable edition of this article is available to view on the EMiS website HERE.  A year-end review for members of the European Movement in Scotland, by Martin Johnson, Scottish Government EU Director, writing from Brussels The winter period is always a busy one and also a great opportunity to… Read More »
  • European Traditional Dance Workshop in Glasgow
    Glasgow European Citizens Forum, which the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) helped establish, has a new lease of life under the leadership of Clare Scanlan. The Forum held a hugely successful European Traditional Dance Workshop on Sunday 2nd November. The Glasgow venue was filled to capacity with over 120 people, representing… Read More »
  • How Europe turned the Conservative Party from political giant to intensive care patient. Labour beware.
    Martin Roche writes in The Scotsman about how the matter of Europe has almost consumed the Conservative Party, and warns that Labour’s position on the EU may put it in grave danger. … Read More »
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Podcasts and Videos

European Conversations

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More episodes here.

Webinars and Livestreams

Defending Democracy: Choosing Europe
In recent years, the struggle for democracy has taken centre stage in many Central and Eastern European countries, where pro-EU movements have …
Common Ground: Scotland's European Path
An exclusive online discussion with former Labour MEP David Martin and Alyn Smith, for the former SNP MEP and MP. In a time of political …

More livestreams and webinars here.

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