SNP MSP Richard Lochhead says Scotland must be part of all work being done by the UK government work streams at Westminster.

Ms Hyslop says that is important advice from the former government minister and again says "it is important our voice is heard".

Mr Lochhead, the former fisheries minister, says he is very, very worried about forthcoming negotiation sin Europe over the next two years.

He calls for Scotland to have a "bigger voice".

Ms Hyslop agrees and says: "We are Europeans today and Europeans tomorrow and our intention is to make sure Scotland remains."

There are instances where a Scottish minister would get a better hearing than a UK minister.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine apologises for the strange hydraulic noises humming away in the background of the committee room. 

After the UK voted to leave the EU, the country faces the prospect of having to establish new trade relationships - both with the remaining 27 EU members and other countries around the world.

As a member of the EU, the UK has been included in trade deals the EU has negotiated. There are 22 trade agreements between the EU and individual countries, and five multi-lateral agreements covering multiple countries.

Image source, Getty Images

This means that if the UK wants to retain preferential access to the markets of the 52 countries covered by these agreements, it would have to renegotiate trade deals with all of them.

Britain is a large market, so there is a clear incentive for other countries to negotiate a deal. Advocates of Brexit argued that it would be in nobody's interest to interrupt the current trading partnerships.

But which of the other models discussed as potential post-Brexit options for the UK are realistic?

Click here for the five models including being a member of the European Economic Area like Norway.

Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw says he takes at face value that the first minister's visit to Brussels was to raise the result here in Scotland.

Mr Carlaw asks if Scotland remaining in the UK outwith the EU is a possibility for the minister.

Ms Hyslop says that would be the "worst case scenario".

BBC Radio Scotland

Speaking to Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, the former vice-president of the European Parliament David Martin said independence could be the only way ahead for Scotland to remain in the EU.

Image source, David Martin speaking in European Parliament

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford says the twin track approach of dealing with the UK and the EU is important.

Mr Crawford asks how flexible the UK might be prepared to be in terms of Scotland's position.

He asks if the UK will find a position where Scotland can remain in the EU.

Ms Hyslop says that's speculation and there will be a change at the head of the UK government.

The minister says it is essential that Scotland's role is locked in at the process at this early stage.

Ms Hyslop says keeping as many options open as possible is very important but moving very rapidly is essential.

The external affairs secretary says the first minister has spoken to her counterparts in Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks whether the UK government has consulted the minister on when to trigger Article 50.

Ms Hyslop says she has had two discussions with UK ministers and says there is an opportunity to recalibrate the engagement with them on these issues.

She says she does not think the ministers have plans on when to trigger Article 50 yet.

The external affairs secretary says "everybody is in shock" across  Europe and clearly there was a view that they wanted the UK to stay in the EU.

Ms Hyslop says: "We need to have a plan for what we want to achieve."

She says Scotland must engage early with both the UK and the EU.

The external affairs secretary says all options will be considered to protect Scotland's relationship and that includes an independence referendum.

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop says this time last week she had not yet cast her vote in the referendum and a lot has happened in seven days.

Ms Hyslop says the Scottish government will do all it can to protect Scotland's relationship with the EU.

She says the first minister's visit to Brussels was successful.

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop will now give evidence to the European and External Relations Committee, external.

Ms Hyslop is joined by Karen Watt, the director for culture, tourism and external affairs at the Scottish Government.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has has set up a standing council of experts to provide her with advice following the Brexit vote..

She was speaking at Holyrood after last week's UK referendum resulted in voters backing to leave the EU by 52% to 48%.

Image source, PA

On Tuesday afternoon, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that "all the impacts" of the referendum result needed to be set out and evaluated and "all of the options" open to Scotland in securing its relationship with the EU needed to be looked at.

Scotland's leader said the expert council would be chaired by Professor Anton Muscatelli, Glasgow University's principal and vice chancellor, and would have 17 members, including politicians, economists and constitutional experts.

Ms Sturgeon explained: "Members will consider the impact of proposed changes to the UK's relationship with the EU on Scottish interests and advise ministers throughout our negotiations on the best way to secure Scottish interests and objectives."

The European and External Relations Committee, external will shortly take evidence from the External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop for the first time since the vote to Brexit. 

After that two members of the first minister's new standing council of experts will join other academics to give evidence.

Image source, Getty Images

The experts are: 

• Professor Sir David Edward, Chair of the Europa Institute, University of Edinburgh, and Former Judge of the European Court of Justice
• Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, Anniversary Chair in Law, co-director, Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context, Queen Mary School of Law, University of London
• Dr Kirsty Hughes, Associate Fellow, Friends of Europe, Brussels; 
• Professor Andrew Scott, European Union Studies and Co-Director of Europa Institute, School of Law and Dean International for Europe, University of Edinburgh. 

Sir David Edward and Professor Andrew Scott have both been appointed to the Scottish government's Standing Council on Europe.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to update MSPs later on her efforts to keep Scotland in the European Union.

Ms will answer first minister's questions, a day after meeting senior officials in Brussels.

Ms Sturgeon said she had received a "sympathetic response" and left in "good heart".

But both France and Spain have said they oppose Scotland negotiating separately from the rest of the UK to stay in the EU.

Ms Sturgeon has pledged to do everything possible to "protect Scotland's place in the EU" after Scotland voted in Thursday's referendum in favour of remaining in the EU, by 62% to 38%, while the UK as a whole voted to leave.

On Wednesday she held talks with European Parliament president Martin Schulz and the leaders of several of the groups in the European Parliament before going on to meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

On the last day before the Summer recess first minister's questions will as ever dominate proceedings, with Nicola Sturgeon expected to update MSPs on her efforts to keep Scotland in the European Union

We'll bring you extensive coverage of the final Holyrood set-piece before MSPs take a well earned break, beginning at 12pm.

Image source, PA/Scottish Parliament

Before that there will be a member's debate on 'Scotland, Pitchford and Undercover Policing', which will be followed by general questions.  

And first up this morning is the first European and External Affairs Committee since the Brexit vote. 

Image source, Reuters