Scotland's Four Words

06/08/2026

Can Scotland disagree better?

Join us on Wednesday 26th of August, from 4:00–5:00pm, for an online public information session with Scotland’s Information Commissioner, David Hamilton, exploring the future of Scotland’s public conversation.

Too often, public debate feels shaped by shouting, tribalism and point-scoring. But what if we approached disagreement differently? What if wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity helped shape not only what we say, but how we say it?

Scotland’s Four Words will share what we have learned so far, explore why public conversation feels under pressure, and discuss how we can build a healthier culture of disagreement in Scotland.

David Hamilton will also explain why he is supporting the campaign and why he believes wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity matter in public life.

📅 Wednesday 26th August 2026
🕓 4:00–5:00pm
💻 Online

Whether you are involved in politics, the media, civil society or community life, or are simply concerned about the tone of public debate, you are warmly invited to join the conversation.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-public-information-session-with-david-hamilton-tickets-1995934140744?aff=oddtdtcreator

14/07/2026

A thoughtful lunch with Michael Lloyd, the silversmith who created the Scottish Parliament's Mace.

When the Mace was presented to the new Parliament in 1999, it carried a sense of hope about what Scotland's public life could become. Engraved on it are four words: wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity.

Speaking with Michael, we reflected on that moment and on the importance of restoring some of the hope and shared purpose that accompanied the Parliament's beginnings.

Those four words remain as relevant today as they were then. They are not simply part of the Mace's design, they are an invitation to all of us to think about how we conduct public life, how we disagree, and how we work towards Scotland's future together.

Thank you, Michael, for a fascinating conversation and for creating a symbol that continues to inspire our work.

09/07/2026

A reminder that our public information session is coming up.

The Future of Scotland’s Public Conversation
📅 16 July 2026 (next Thursday)
🕓 4:00pm–5:00pm
💻 Online

We’ll be sharing what Scotland’s Four Words has learned so far, exploring why public conversation can feel under pressure, and asking how wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity might help us embrace disagreement more constructively.

The session is free and open to all.

Register here: https://scotlandsfourwords.org/scotlands-four-words-public-information-session-july-2026/

08/07/2026

Who’s behind Scotland’s Four Words?

Scotland’s Four Words is led by Frank Strang MBE, former senior civil servant in both the UK and Scottish Governments, and Chair of Solas Festival.

After decades in public service, Frank became increasingly convinced that how we conduct public life matters just as much as the decisions we make. That conviction led to a simple, yet important question:

What if the four words engraved on the Scottish Parliament’s Mace: wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity, became guiding principles for how we speak, listen and make decisions together?

Scotland’s Four Words is being developed under the auspices of the International Futures Forum, in association with organisations including the Royal Society of Edinburgh, The Young Academy of Scotland, Christian Aid, SCVO, The Church of Scotland and Cyrenians.

This isn't about promoting a political position or supporting one party over another. It's an invitation to everyone who cares about Scotland's future to help create a healthier public conversation.

If that resonates with you, we'd love you to join us by signing the pledge.

🔗 Follow this link to sign the pledge: https://scotlandsfourwords.org/the-pledge/

06/07/2026

Have you signed the Scotland's Four Words pledge yet?

The pledge is a simple commitment, but an important one.

It says that the four words engraved on the Scottish Parliament’s Mace: wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity, should help shape how we speak, listen, make decisions and engage with one another in public life.

Whether you're an elected representative, part of an organisation, work in the media, or simply care about Scotland's future, there's a pledge for you.

By signing, you’re adding your voice to a shared commitment to bring more wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity into public life in Scotland.

If you haven't already, we'd love you to add your name.

Visit this link on our website to find the pledge that's right for you: https://scotlandsfourwords.org/the-pledge/

02/07/2026

New here? The story of Scotland’s Four Words begins with the Scottish Parliament’s Mace.

Every time the Scottish Parliament sits, the Mace is placed at the centre of the debating chamber. Parliament cannot begin its business without it.

Engraved on the Mace are four words: Wisdom. Compassion. Justice. Integrity.

These words were chosen to represent the values that should guide public life in Scotland, whatever the issue and whoever is in power.

Scotland’s Four Words is about lifting those words off the Mace and putting them back into our conversations, our choices and our politics.

It is an invitation to all of us to “Face the Mace”: to ask how wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity might shape what we say yes to, what we say no to, and how we disagree along the way.

Because how we do politics matters just as much as what we decide.

Find out more and sign the pledge to help bring these four words back to the forefront of Scotland's public life. Link here: https://scotlandsfourwords.org/the-pledge/

📸 Photo by Sean Munson

27/06/2026

Our very first Scotland's Four Words newsletter is here!

Each edition will share what we've been learning through conversations, workshops and events, along with reflections on Scotland's public conversation and practical ways to get involved.

This project has only reached this point thanks to the encouragement, ideas and support of so many people. Every conversation has helped shape where we are today, and where we're going next.

If you've been following Scotland's Four Words but haven't yet signed the pledge, now is a great time to join a growing community committed to bringing more wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity into public life.

📖 Read our first newsletter here: https://scotlandsfourwords.org/scotlands-four-words-first-newsletter-published/

And we'd love to hear from you... What do you think of the title? Let us know in the comment section below.

Scotland’s Four Words has published its first newsletter, sharing updates, learning and ways to get involved in building a healthier public conversation for Scotland.

26/06/2026

“We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Ten years ago this month, we lost Jo Cox MP.

Her death was a tragedy, but her legacy continues to remind us of the kind of public life we should strive for: one rooted in compassion, integrity, connection and service to others.

At Scotland’s Four Words, we believe the values engraved on the Scottish Parliament’s Mace - wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity - offer a vision of public life that Jo Cox’s work continues to call us towards.

In a time when public debate can feel increasingly polarised, her words remain as powerful as ever.

Photograph: The Jo Cox Foundation

17/06/2026

Scotland’s Four Words will be at Solas Festival, 19–21 June 2026.

Solas is a welcoming space of music, ideas and wellbeing - a place to recharge, reflect and rediscover what truly matters among Scotland’s natural beauty.

Come and meet us there to:

🗣️ Hear newly elected MSPs reflect on what it’s really like to serve in public life today

💭 Contribute to our research exploring what wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity mean in Scotland today

✨ Hold the replica Mace and see up close the four words engraved on the Scottish Parliament’s original Mace

And, of course, enjoy the festival itself, from music and crafts to yoga, conversation and time outdoors.

Whether you’ve already signed the pledge or are hearing about Scotland’s Four Words for the first time, we’d be glad to see you.

16/06/2026

Four words?

McGinn. McGinn. McGinn. McGinn. ⚽

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/en/news/haiti-v-scotland-match-report

We'll return to wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity shortly.

For now, we're simply enjoying a Scotland World Cup win and a John McGinn goal at the weekend.

Congratulations to the Scotland team, and good luck for the games ahead.

The official website of the Scottish FA. Get the latest news, fixtures, results, video, and more.