The Scottish Microscopy Group (SMG) , affiliated to the Royal Microscopy Society , serves to foster interest in the various microscopies and microanalyses currently employed in the biological and material sciences. Committee members are drawn from universities, research institutes, industry and trade.

The application of novel specimen preparation methods for microscopy and the development of microscope technology are topics frequently found in the program for the one-day annual meeting held in mid-November. The venue is traditionally by rotation in one of the four major cities - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. Invited speakers - often internationally renowned - are chosen by the committee to hopefully reflect the balance of interests of meeting registrants. There are contributed talks and a poster session providing a forum for communicating research results or technique advances. These stimulate informal discussion and there are prizes awarded.

Importantly there is a Trade Exhibition of around 20 stands including light and electron microscope manufacturers, specimen prep instrumentation and support companies. Ample time is made available during the day for visiting trade stands during program breaks and over a buffet lunch which is served in the exhibition area.