The Communist Party of Scotland (CPS) was established in 1991 when the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) decided to disband and reform as a left-wing think tank, Democratic Left. Those who formed the CPS disagreed with this decision (as did some other members who reformed a new CPGB) and decided to carry on as an active political party in Scotland.

Thus far the CPS has fought no parliamentary elections. Consequently the CPS do not feature much on the Scottish political landscape, but they do continue to sponsor a councillor in Fife.