| ||
|---|---|---|
First Minister of Scotland (2007–2014) Post Premiership Leader of the Alba Party (2021–2024)   | ||
Alex Salmond, who served as the fourth first minister of Scotland between 17 May 2007 until 18 November 2014 conducted various international and foreign visits to promote Scotland and its economy, to encourage inward investment and to meet with other international heads of governments. During his tenure, Salmond conducted a total of twenty international visits.
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Belgium | Brussels | July 11–12, 2007 | The First Minister held a reception for key European contacts and attended a Passchendaele memorial service with Her Majesty The Queen. |
| 2 |  USA | New York City | 10–13 October 2007 | The First Minister promoted Scotland as an attractive location for investment. |
| 3 |  Sri Lanka | Colombo | 5–12 November 2007 | The First Minister attended the decision on the bid by Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. |
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |  Ireland | Dublin | 13–14 February 2008 | The First Minister attended the British-Irish Council. |
| 5 | USA | Washington D.C. New York City | 29 March – 6 April 2008 | The First Minister travelled to USA where he undertook a series of engagements as part of the Scotland Week delegation. |
| 6 |  Spain | Barcelona | 13–16 December 2008 | Salmond met with the mayor of Barcelona as well as toured the Barcelona Olympic Games Facilities. Salmond also had lunch with Catalan government officials, and later met with the president of Catalonia and vice-president of Catalonia. |
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | USA | Washington D.C. | 23–24 February 2009 | During a two day visit to the United States, Salmond visited Washington D.C. and met with United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. [2] |
| 8 |  Hong Kong | 5–6 April 2009 | Met with the British Consul General and attended the Scotland-Hong Kong Energy Event held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong | |
| 9 |  China | 7–10 April 2009 | Attended the Scotland Reception held at Westin Hotel, Shanghai and met with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Met with Vice Foreign Minister Mr Li, Hui in Beijing | |
| 10 | Ireland | 16 April 2009 | Met Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach | |
| 11 |  Denmark | Copenhagen | 14 December 2009 – 15 December | Met President of Maldives and had dinner with officials in Copenhagen. Attended the Copenhagen Climate Conference and engaged in meetings with Government Ministers |
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 |  Guernsey | 1 April 2010 | Met with the chief minister of Guernsey | |
| 13 |  Isle of Man | 25 June 2010 | Met with the chief minister of the Isle of Man and attending the British-Irish Council hosted by the Isle of Man where Salmond engaged with other leaders from across the British Isles | |
| 14 | China | Shanghai Beijing Tianjin | 4 July 2010–9 July | Salmond travelled to China and visited Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin, leading three high-level trade missions. Salmond meet with officials from VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and the British Council. Salmond held meetings with Chinese Government officials, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [3] |
| 15 |  Norway | 16 August 2010–18 August | Met with the British ambassador to Norway and with the senior executives of Statnett to discuss North Sea Grid. Salmond also met with the Norwegian secretary of state for petroleum and energy, the Norwegian minister of finance to discuss Norwegian oil fund, and the Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre. | |
| 16 |  India | Delhi | 11 October 2010–14 October | Salmond visited India as part of the Scottish delegation and the formal handover of the Commonwealth Games to the city of Glasgow, the next host city of the games following the 2010 edition held in India. Additionally, Salmond met with Indian businesses to attract inward investment, and secured additional investment from the HERO Group who announced the expansion of their workforce in Scotland. [4] |
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Ireland | Dublin | 13 January 2012 | Attended the British-Irish Council. During the summit, Salmond along with other heads of governments discussed policy areas concerning youth unemployment, drug misuse, demography, digital inclusion, early years policy, energy and the electric grid infrastructure. [5] |
| 18 | USA | Los Angeles | July 2012 | Various cultural engagements to promote Scottish culture and the arts, as well as attending the premiere of Brave . [6] Salmond appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson as one of the shows guests and was asked questions by comedian and host, Craig Ferguson. [7] |
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Isle of Man | Douglas | 16 July 2013–17 July | Salmond visited Douglas, the capital city of the Isle of Man and met with the Isle of Man Council of ministers and Eddie Teare, the Isle of Man Treasury Minister. During his visit, Salmond delivered a lecture to the chief minister’s International Lecture and met with the chief minister of the Isle of Man, Allan Bell, as well as touring the island to see education and cultural policy in action. [8] |
| # | Country | Areas visited | Dates | Details [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | USA | Washington D.C. New York City | 3 April 2014–8 April | Attended various Scotland Week celebrations in the United States. During his visit, Salmond gave a speech to the New York campus of the Glasgow Caledonian University. [9] |
