Paul Henderson Scott was born and educated in Edinburgh, attending Edinburgh’s Royal High School and then moving on to study at Edinburgh University. It was at university that he first became involved with the Saltire Society. Shortly after this Scott was called up to serve in World War Two. He began his training as an army officer driving a lorry. However, through contact with diplomats from the foreign office he decided to take the examination and soon became a diplomat. A long diplomatic career followed after this where he served on the front line in Cuba during the Cuban Missile crisis in 1963. Although away from Scotland, he never lost touch with his native land or the Saltire Society. Since his return to Scotland in 1986 Scott has led an extremely full career as an active member of both the Saltire Society and the Scottish National Party. Scott was partly responsible for the advent of the Saltire Book Award, which supports Scottish authors who focus on the topic of Scotland. Scott eventually rose through the ranks of the Society and became president. Scott was also spokesperson for the SNP as well as holding the position of Rector of Dundee University in 1989. Alongside his political career, Scott has also published several cultural and political works about Scotland, including, Scotland Resurgent (2003), Towards Independence (1990) and ‘A Scottish Postbag’ (1986).

The material was consolidated by Paul Henderson Scott and donated to the National Library of Scotland.

The material reflects the long and varied career of Paul Henderson Scott. The papers document his efforts in the Saltire Society including his work with the Saltire publishing committee. A large section of the material is devoted to his vast array of literary works. The papers include various drafts of his works such as A Nation Again (2001) and Spirits of the Age (2005). The papers also include detail on collections edited by Paul Henderson Scott as well as Saltire Pamphlets written by him. The material also reflects Scott’s attempts to maintain Scotland’s cultural history, such as his work to keep the National Portrait Gallery open in 1993 as well as his involvement in the Edinburgh International Festival in 1991.