SCOTLAND'S international reputation has fallen compared with other countries despite a year in the global spotlight.
An annual survey showing which countries have the strongest international "brands" ranked Scotland 17th out of 50, a fall of two places.
The country's overall score rose slightly, from 60.1 to 61.8 out of 100 following huge international interest in the independence referendum, the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, but other nations improved by more in 2014.
Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said the year had been "phenomenal" for Scotland's reputation but admitted some aspects of country were still "not fully recognised" abroad.
The findings emerged from a Scottish Government analysis of the latest Anholt-GFK Roper Nation Brands Index.
The survey quizzed more than 20,000 people in 20 countries in July about how they perceived 50 countries around the world.
They were asked to assess 23 characteristics broken down into six broad categories: exports, governance, culture, people, tourism and investment/immigration.
This year Germany overtook the USA as the country with the best international brand, with the UK ranked third.
Although Scotland slipped down the league table, the country's overall performance improved for the first time since 2008.
Awareness of the country also rose, with 65 per cent of those questioned around the world saying they had at least some knowledge of Scotland, compared with 62 per cent two years ago.
Scotland's strongest category was tourism, where the country was ranked 12th out of the 50 countries assessed.
The success was mainly thanks to people's perception of Scotland's natural beauty, seen internationally as the country's best asset.
Scotland's weakest category was exports, partly because the country was not seen as a leader in science and innovation.
Among the other characteristics considered, the country's lowest global ranking was in "excellence in sports," where Scotland was ranked 28th out of 50.
Scotland was 15th for "competent and honest governance," 13th for "friendly people" and 17th for "quality of life".
The survey also showed how Scotland's reputation varies from country to country.
Scotland was ranked most highly by the UK, though its ranking - 6th - fell by one place in the year of the independence referendum.
Other countries with a high regard for Scotland included
Canada, Australia, the USA, South Africa and France, all of which gave a top-12 ranking.
France moved Scotland up the league table from 17th to 12th, the biggest improvement seen in any country.
For Swedes, however, Scotland's brand slipped from 10th to 15th.
The country's reputation was weakest in Egypt, where it ranked the country 26th out of 50.
China also gave Scotland a low ranking - 23rd - despite ongoing efforts to build business and cultural ties.
Ms Hyslop said: "The 2014 research was undertaken in July, before Scotland delivered a trio of high profile international events: the greatest Commonwealth Games ever, the best organised Ryder Cup in history and hosted and wowed with the European MTV awards." She added it was also undertaken before September's referendum.
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