President Catherine Connolly has arrived in Scotland to begin a four-day official visit, commencing with a bilateral meeting in Edinburgh with Scottish First Minister John Swinney. Accompanied by her husband, Brian McEnery, the trip represents President Connolly's latest international engagement representing the Republic of Ireland.

The official itinerary opened on Wednesday morning with talks at Bute House alongside First Minister Swinney and Stephen Gethins, Scotland's Minister for Europe, External Relations and Energy. Mr Swinney previously met President Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in November 2025, when he became the first overseas head of government received by the President following her inauguration.

Following her meeting with Scottish leadership, President Connolly visited the National Library of Scotland to view historical artefacts and review progress on the "Across these Islands: Shared histories, Shared futures" project, funded under the UK–Ireland Shared Island Cultural Co-operation Programme.

Her schedule in Edinburgh also includes a visit to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, where she is set to receive an Honorary Fellowship. While at the society, the President is scheduled to meet Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Kenneth Gibson MSP, receive an overview of the "Silent Harm" initiative supporting deaf victims of gender-based violence in rural areas, and meet members of the Network of Academics for Irish and Scottish Engagement.

Over the remainder of her four-day trip, President Connolly will travel across Scotland with engagements scheduled in Glasgow, Coatbridge, and the Isle of Skye, where she will visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland's national centre for Gaelic language and culture. In a statement released ahead of the visit, President Connolly highlighted the enduring cultural, linguistic, and historical connections binding Ireland and Scotland.