Listen
Scotland House in London
08/07/2012
The Scottish Government will host a ‘Scotland House’ facility in London during the Olympic Games to present Scotland to the world.
Similar in style to Scotland House at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 and Delhi in 2010, the facility will be a mix of formal events and receptions as well as a base for business meetings and the families of Scottish athletes.
Sport Minister Shona Robison said: "London 2012 is a huge opportunity to showcase Scotland to a global audience.
"People and companies from all over the world will come to London to meet, interact and do business during the Olympics and we want to maximise the opportunities of having representatives of all 204 Olympic countries in London.
"With representation from our enterprise, tourism, sport creative and event agencies, Scotland House will host an eye catching programme of formal and informal events including of the best of our food, drink and music.
"In the build up to 2014 and the year of homecoming it will be a platform for Scottish and international visitors to network, do business and help sell Scotland to the world."
Six world-famous Scots have already lent their support to the venture - including Nicola Benedetti, Colin Montgomerie and Emilie Sande. Princess Merida from Brave will also feature at the location.
Musician Nicola Benedetti said:
"I’m delighted to be part of a team representing Scotland in showing London the best of what we have to offer during the Olympics this summer."
Four of Young Scot's Youth Legacy Ambassadors will be flying the flag for Scottish young people at the location by reporting on their experiences during the Games and taking part in the range of events.
23 year old Gary Grieve, from South Lanarkshire, will be heading to London. He said:
"I am really excited to be part of Scotland House. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to experience the Olympics ahead of Glasgow 2014.
"It will give me the chance to tell a lot of people what I have been doing in Scotland, in terms of Sport and Culture but also to explain what Scotland has to offer in terms of travel and tourism. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will make sure I leave with more knowledge of other organisations, countries and the Olympics."
Related Information
Scotland House will open on 27 July and run until 12 August.
The facility is a partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, EventScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Creative Scotland, sportscotland, with input from Glasgow 2014, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Marketing Edinburgh.
Scotland House will be situated at 36-39 Pall Mall, close to the British Business Embassy at Lancaster House, Dover House and the London 2012 Non-accredited Media Centre and half an hour by tube to the Olympic Park.