Scottish Government to spend £1.5m on growing digital engagement

Hyslop stated that the public sector had a role to play in attempting to meet broadband speed targets as well as widening services online and encouraging digital participation amongst Scots.

"The digital age offers many opportunities for all of Scotland to grow and prosper. The Scottish Government's Digital Strategy makes clear our commitment to do all we can to take advantage of emerging technologies for the benefit of the whole country,” explained Hyslop.

"We want next generation broadband to be available throughout Scotland by 2020 with significant progress by 2015, and for the rate of broadband uptake in Scotland to match and then overtake the UK average. This strategy sets out how we will achieve these ambitions.”

Hyslop continued to reveal that £1.5 million would be spent on a ‘programme of activity’ over 2011/12 in a bid to improve update and use of broadband, including £500,000 to continue to fund Scottish libraries which provides free broadband access to the public.

"The private sector is already taking the lead by upgrading infrastructure to improve access and speed and we want this to continue. The Scottish Government will do all it can to work with industry to ensure next generation broadband is available across the whole of Scotland, with a particular focus on rural provision. The Highlands and Islands' successful bid to pilot superfast broadband is a significant step forward and we must now look to establishing a digital future for all."

At the launch, held at Digital Design Studio at Glasgow School of Art, an animated fly-through of Stirling Castle, created using scanning techniques was also unveiled as an example of digital work being undertaken in Scotland.