.Scot New gTLD Launched Today With 50 Pioneers (Government, NHS, Scouts in Scotland)

The new .scot top level internet domain launched today giving individuals and organisations the chance to express their pride in Scotland online.

People can now, for the first time, choose to use a .scot web or email address instead of, or as well as, existing options like .com or .co.uk.

More than 50 Pioneers have signed up to be vanguards of the new .scot internet domain. Domestically this includes the Scottish Government, SCVO, The Highlands and Islands University, NHS Scotland, The Scouts in Scotland, PR firm Weber Shandwick, Yes Scotland and Better Together. Internationally, the Louisiana Scots and The Clan Wallace are amongst those having signed up. For the next 60 days only Pioneers will be allowed to use the .Scot TLD  but others are invited to register interest via http://nic.scot. After September 23 2014, the domain will be open to all to purchase names and use them as they see fit. .Scot new domain name extension was welcomed by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “It is entirely right that Scotland should have its own distinctive and recognisable Internet domain, in particular one that will resonate internationally, helping to promote Scottish business and culture throughout the world. “I am confident that the .scot domain name will prove to be a real asset to the people of Scotland and to the worldwide family of Scots. I am looking forward to the Scottish Government being able to make use of this new domain, and to having www.gov.scot up and running before the end of the year, as well as our pioneer domains including www.welcome.scot, which go live today.”

Here is the complete press release:

The new .scot top level internet domain launches at noon today giving individuals and organisations the chance to express their pride in Scotland online.

People can now, for the first time, choose to use a .scot web or email address instead of, or as well as, existing options like .com or .co.uk. The new domain is one of a number of new top level domains that are becoming available this year, alongside many others representing specific communities like .wales, .london, .berlin and .NYC. More than 50 Pioneers have signed up to be vanguards of the new .scot internet domain. Domestically this includes the Scottish Government, SCVO, The Highlands and Islands University, NHS Scotland, The Scouts in Scotland, PR firm Weber Shandwick, Yes Scotland and Better Together. Internationally, the Louisiana Scots and The Clan Wallace are amongst those having signed up. This new era for Scotland online was welcomed by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “It is entirely right that Scotland should have its own distinctive and recognisable Internet domain, in particular one that will resonate internationally, helping to promote Scottish business and culture throughout the world. “I am confident that the .scot domain name will prove to be a real asset to the people of Scotland and to the worldwide family of Scots. I am looking forward to the Scottish Government being able to make use of this new domain, and to having www.gov.scot up and running before the end of the year, as well as our pioneer domains including www.welcome.scot, which go live today.” The beginning of the new internet domain for the people of Scotland, and further afield, represents the end an almost nine year journey for the not-for-profit company ‘Dot Scot Registry’ and Director Gavin McCutcheon. He said: “This is a fantastic day for Scotland online and gives our nation a chance to stand out, and be seen as the digital pioneer that many know it to be. “Owning a .scot domain will allow people and organisations a new unique way to express their identity online.  It’s a community domain intended for everybody who lives and works in Scotland, and for the 50 million people around the globe who are part of Scotland’s diaspora. “It’s a chance for people here in Scotland, and for Scottish communities abroad, to allow build cultural and economic links as well as providing a strong Unique Selling Point for brands.” “After such a long campaign to secure the new .scot domain we’re delighted that we can launch when the eyes of the world are on Scotland, with the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow next week. I also particularly pleased that among our pioneers domains is www.legacy2014.scot which highlights the legacy that the Games will offer to Scotland.“ For the next 60 days only Pioneers will be allowed to use the .Scot TLD  but others are invited to register interest via http://nic.scot. After September 23 2014, the domain will be open to all to purchase names and use them as they see fit. Amongst the launch pioneers are The Scouts in Scotland. Graham Haddock, Chief Commissioner for Scouts Scotland, said: “Online is where many people – members and potential members – get their information about Scouts and even though we are a successful global youth organisation, Scouting exists in local communities right across Scotland. “As such, it makes complete sense for the Scouts in Scotland to have a strong presence and identity via www.scouts.scot. It also plays to remind people that The Scout Association is an ever changing organisation as we always seek to be relevant and attractive to young people.” WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “From world-leading climate change targets to innovative approaches to securing more fish and healthier seas, Scotland is a pioneer in creating solutions to some of the most important environmental challenges facing the planet. However, as well as being able to learn from others globally, we’d like these examples to help provide inspiration to others facing similar challenges. “By using WWF.scot we hope to create a space to better share these and other great ideas so that everywhere people and nature can thrive.” Moray Macdonald, Weber Shandwick Scotland Managing Director said: “As a global company with a defined Scottish offering it makes perfect sense for Weber Shandwick to be a pioneer company for .Scot and to launch our first specific Scottish company website. “We were one of the first – if not the first – PR and communication agencies to have an in-house design team, we were one of the first to offer websites to clients.  Our ongoing award wins, globally and in Scotland, for digital engagement by the likes of trade body the CIPR show that our peers recognise our efforts of engaging always. “.Scot is the latest chapter in our ongoing digital evolution and we wish it every success – both as a client but also from the point of view to the benefits that it could bring the Scottish community across the globe.” For further information please contact: Craig McGill Tel: 0141 333 0557 / 07584 385571 / cmcgill@webershandwick.com Kenny Murray Tel: 0141 333 0557 / 07775 033 515 / kmurray@webershandwick.com Notes to Editors: Gavin McCutcheon and some Pioneers are available for interview by contacting Weber Shandwick or the Pioneers respective press offices. The full list of Pioneers is below. GAVIN McCUTCHEON Gavin is a very experienced businessman and successful entrepreneur, staging his first highly successful MBO when he was 25 years old from a major Scottish Plc. He has managed international acquisitions and de-mergers; established a major franchise chain following a second MBO and has sat on the board of over a dozen Scottish and overseas companies in the technology area. He is a recognised international figure in the intellectual assets field. Coming from an Electronics background, Gavin initially worked in the aerospace industry (Ferranti, JATE, European Space Agency) before taking business roles in Holland, Switzerland, the Bahamas and South-East Asia. Latterly he managed an IP portfolio with a commercial value in excess of 1 billion. Currently Gavin is a director of IP management house ICIPIA Limited as well as the Scottish internet domain, Dot Scot Registry. DOT SCOT REGISTRY Dot Scot Registry is a not-for-profit company, with any surpluses raised by the selling of .scot names being planned to be ploughed into digital skills training in the coming years. The independent, not-for-profit status of the company was a deliberate policy decision, backed by the Scottish Government, to ensure that the .scot domain serves the Scottish community of interest online, rather operating than as a privately-controlled commercial product. DOT SCOT BOARD MEMBERS The other board members for the Dot Scot Registry are Dr Harry McGrath, Director of the Scottish Canadian Agency and Online Editor of the Scottish Review of Books, Polly Purvis, Executive Director of ScotlandIS, and Craig Cockburn, IT Consultant. .SCOT .scot is designated as a community domain because it has a distinct linguistic and cultural dimension. It is not a geographic domain limited by physical boundaries. Individuals and organisations eligible to apply for .scot domains are those living or based in Scotland, and those with a connection to, or affinity for,  Scotland. PIONEERS Pioneers are available for comment. The current list of Pioneers includes: