Scotland’s wait for its own dotScot domain is finally over with the announcement confirming that anyone with a Scotland connection will now be able to apply to use the new “.scot” domain.

Scottish ministers and the Dot Scot Registry campaign supporters claim that the new domain will boost Scottish identity and heritage around the world providing the country’s culture a much greater visibility on the Internet, in the world media and global economy.

The move was possible only after the Glasgow-based not-for-profit company, Dot Scot Registry (DSR), agreed terms with the international regulatory authority, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to operate the new domain.

The new .scot domain could be available for people to buy this summer for both website and email use.

The domain has been brought in a year earlier than it was actually planned to allow websites to be launched in time for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games to be held this year. The Scottish government has welcomed the new development, saying it was always actively involved with DSR in the entire application process. The cost and time details will be announced soon.

Director of Dot Scot Registry, Gavin McCutcheon, said, “Scotland and Scottishness conveys a whole range of positive connotations, which could not really be portrayed on the web before, but with a distinctive 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.”

“We hope it will become the first choice for the worldwide family of Scots.”

First Minister Alex Salmond said, “2014 is an exciting year for Scotland, and I’m delighted that this distinct online identity for the nation, and all who take an interest in Scotland, will become available this summer.

“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.”