Scottish Opera is Scotland’s national opera company and the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland, committed to bringing the widest range of opera, performed to the highest standards, to the maximum audience throughout Scotland and the United Kingdom.

Previously funded through the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Opera has received its funding directly from the Scottish Executive since 1 April 2007, in line with the terms of the 2006 cultural policy statement Scotland's Culture.

Scottish Opera constantly seeks to maintain and extend its audience and develop new relationships with the business community. Scottish Opera is also committed to delivering socially inclusive outreach and education work that will benefit communities throughout Scotland; both through the activities of its education unit, and through a wide range of initiatives undertaken in partnerships with sponsors and local authorities.

Scottish Opera gives main-scale performances at venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh, together with smaller-scale performances and concerts in smaller venues across Scotland not always served by other professional opera companies.