Infrastructure and connectivity

We recognise the vital importance of a strong international air route network that connects businesses in Scotland to their customers worldwide. Scotland currently has direct international air routes to 37 countries. 

Scotland has enjoyed significant growth in international air routes over the past 10 years. Scheduled services to international destinations have more than trebled since 2001.  

Scotland's five main airports have international flights that connect millions of passengers to around 150 destinations worldwide, and these routes are growing year by year. 

Around £2.7 billion is being invested in major road infrastructure, increasing access across the whole of Scotland and the UK. It takes just 45 minutes to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh by train, and more improvements will see the addition of 200 trains and 200,000 seats across the whole of the Scottish network. 

Need to get to the UK capital? Direct rail journeys to London can take as little as 4.5 hours with speedy connections to other UK cities available too. And there's an average of 100 flights to London each day. 

Scotland’s transport network supports over £80 billion of trade. Most of that trade is transported by road and sea. Our road freight exports largely to destinations in England, while our seaports carry most of the volume of our international exports. 

Scotland's seaports handle international cargo, warehousing and distribution, passenger ferries, and offshore oil and gas services. There are seven major fully operational, deep-water ports in Scotland and frequent ferry services connect with Europe, Ireland and Scotland's island communities. 

Beyond our transport links, Scotland's digital connectivity infrastructure is growing in strength. 

Scotland tops poll for connectivity 

Scotland is ranked Europe's most connected region for investment in the prestigious fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future Awards 2020/21. 

Scotland is also a great place for work-life balance, ranking among the top 10 fDi Awards for economic potential, business friendliness, human capital and lifestyle.

This follows EY's report that Scotland is once again the top UK location for inward investment outside of London.

Scotland is a nation that stimulates innovation, welcomes investment and promotes its digital technologies industries. We want to be an internationally acknowledged test bed for innovation in connectivity.

It's estimated that by enhancing 5G capability, Scotland has the potential to add £17 billion to its GDP by 2035 and create 160,000 new jobs

Working with other digital technologies, 5G can also help us respond to the climate emergency – whether it’s creating smart energy grids, reducing waste of resources or improving efficiency of equipment.

The Scotland 5G Centre, a partnership between industry, academia and government, will ensure Scotland moves forward quickly on 5G adoption and innovation. 

The Centre will be Scotland’s national platform for collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing across all aspects of 5G from research to delivery and exploitation. 

Read more about Scotland's 5G strategy on the Scottish Government website.

5G coverage is currently available in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and soon in Aberdeen, as well as smaller towns including Hamilton and Paisley. 

Furthermore, all seven major cities in Scotland are working to become Smart Cities. This will improve urban congestion, maximise energy efficiency, enhance public safety, help improve air quality and traffic flow, cut pollution and boost wellbeing. 

Read more about Scotland's Smart Cities on the Scottish Cities Alliance website.