Scotland will be showcased to the rest of the world during this summer's London Olympics.
Celebrities, including musician Nicola Benedetti, singer Emilie Sande and golfer Colin Montgomerie, have already given their backing to Scottish Government plans to set up a Scotland House facility in the UK capital during the sporting event.
Like the Scotland House that was staged at the previous two Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and Dehli, it will host a mix of formal events and receptions as well as providing a base for business meetings and the families of Scottish athletes competing at the Olympic Games.
Sports minister Shona Robison said the London Olympics was a "huge opportunity to showcase Scotland to a global audience".
Scotland House will be located in Pall Mall, close to both the British Business Embassy and the Scotland Office at Dover House.
It will be a partnership between the Scottish Government, tourism body VisitScotland, EventScotland, enterprise agency Scottish Enterprise, arts body Creative Scotland and the sports body sportscotland.
Organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have also had an input along with marketing bosses from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Violinist Ms 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."
Ms Robison said: "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."
Scotland House will be open in London from July 27 to August 12 — the duration of the Games.
VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay said "bespoke events" would promote the country, highlighting its food and drink, culture and creative industries and sporting successes.
He said: "It is vital we grasp this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"The London 2012 Olympic Games are a fantastic opportunity for Scotland to showcase itself to the world.
"Scotland House will provide the platform for activity, which will engage the huge international audience in London for the Games."
Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International/Scottish Enterprise, said: "Scotland House and its programme of events will allow us to really fly the flag for Scotland to the rest of the world."
Iain Munro, director of creative development at Creative Scotland, said: "The eyes of the world will be on the UK during the London 2012 Olympics.
"Establishing a presence in Scotland House provides us with a unique and unprecedented opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent and creativity within Scotland to a national and international audience."
David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, said Scotland House would give them a "valuable opportunity to promote Glasgow 2014's vision for an outstanding athlete-centred and sports-focused Commonwealth Games to national and international audiences".
He added: "In two years' time, Glasgow and Scotland have the opportunity to shine on the world stage and we look forward to sharing our excitement and ambition at this stage of our journey."
Four of the Glasgow 2014 youth legacy ambassadors who have been recruited to champion the Commonwealth Games and help ensure the event has a lasting legacy will also be involved in events at Scotland House.
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Source: news.stv.tv
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