Scotland To Get Its Own ‘.scot’ Top-Level Domain Name

Scotland is set to get its own country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), after the non-profit Dot Scot Registry (DSR) agreed a deal with the US-based International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

As early as July, businesses and individuals will be able to register character strings ending in ‘.scot’ as their website and email addresses having previously had no choice but to use ‘.co.uk’ or ‘.com’.

“The .scot domain is long overdue in this digital age, and the worldwide family of Scots who have been waiting patiently since it was first proposed, will soon be able to have this marvellously expressive domain as their online identity of choice,” commented First Minister Alex Salmond, a long-time supporter of the new ccTLD.

An introduction timetable and pricing for the new domain names will be announced “soon”. Taking into account the non-profit nature of DSR, registration of addresses ending in ‘.scot’ is expected to cost less than those ending in ‘co.uk’ or the simplified ‘.uk’, which is also due to arrive this summer.

Proudly Scottish

The DSR has campaigned for a ‘.scot’ domain name for almost a decade, attracting support from prominent public figures including Sir Sean Connery and Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer.

The deal with ICANN was originally expected to be announced next year, and the reason behind such speedy progress is not clear. The DSR hopes a unique ccTLD will help create new opportunities for Scottish businesses and increase awareness of Scottish language and culture.

“Scotland and Scottishness conveys a whole range of positive connotations, which could not really be portrayed on the web before, but with a .scot domain there will be a new option anyone involved in Scottish business, arts and culture and others to identify themselves more clearly as Scottish to the online world,” commented Gavin McCutcheon, director of DSR.

The new ccTLD registration is expected to open in time for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July, and they could be adopted by government websites ahead of the Scottish independence referendum, due in September.

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