The first minister of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Prìomh Mhinistear na h-Alba) is the head of government of Scotland and the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, one of the great officers of state in Scotland. The first minister leads the Scottish Government, the executive branch of the devolved government.
The first minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development, and presentation of the Scottish Government's policies. Additional functions of the first minister include promoting and representing Scotland in an official capacity, at home and abroad, as part of the Scottish Government's approach to international relations.