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

  • Is Trump America’s Gorbachev?
    40 years ago, Mikhail Gorbachev, to coin a phrase, set out to make the USSR great again. Gorbachev was acutely aware of the uncompetitive nature of the USSR’s economy and the need to inject market mechanisms into it. He saw Eastern Europe as a drain on the USSR’s standard of living, observing that cheap Soviet exports such as fuel, meant that poorly off Russians were subsidising better-off Poles and Czechs. Furthermore, he noted that while the Soviet Union was spending around 12% of its GNP on defence, this compared with under 6% for its satellites.… Read More »
  • The Special Relationship is dead. We must rebuild links with Europe.
    European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) Chair David Clarke secured the top spot on The Herald’s letters page on 11th April.  https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/25081182.special-relationship-dead-must-rebuild-links-europe The European Movement in Scotland is committed to promoting the essential European value of free speech. Consequently, we regularly publish articles by leading academics, journalists and others discussing issues… Read More »
  • With friends like these, we need a tough decision on Europe
    Donald Trump’s style of diplomacy is typically financially transactional and frequently bullying. In negotiating a trade agreement with the UK, the President is not going to change his spots. His tone may be friendly and his words soft, but he’ll want Donald Trump to win. The balance of any deal must favour Trump. For him, there’s no point in negotiating unless he comes out top dog and is seen globally to be top dog.… Read More »
  • Pox Americana
    US President Trump is dismantling the 80-year-old economic and security order and seeking to install a new American imperialist autarky. Time for Europe to remake itself.… Read More »
  • Festival of Europe
    Festival of Europe lines up top-flight speakers to discuss recent dramatic developments on the world stage and how UK should respond Keeping democracy healthy in Europe is key theme, says organiser. Scotland’s second Festival of Europe is being held at the French Institute, Edinburgh, on 10th and 11th May. Backed… Read More »

Upcoming Events

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Podcasts and Videos

European Conversations

The Future of Wales

European Conversations
European Conversations
The Future of Wales
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The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales reported in January 2024. The Commission had both independent experts and party political nominees on it, produced a unanimous report, and… Read More »

More episodes here.

Webinars and Livestreams

In recent years, the struggle for democracy has taken centre stage in many Central and Eastern European countries, where pro-EU movements have …

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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