Around Scotland a warmer welcome is being extended to people coming into the country.  A range of vibrant images representing Scotland's magnificent landscape, its people and achievements will greet travellers at main airports along with the message 'Welcome to Scotland'.

Unveiling the generic 'Welcome to Scotland' theme, the campaign will incorporate a range of local messages celebrating diversity and success across Scotland - with distinct point of entry images at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen airports.

Unveiling the new art work at Glasgow Airport, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said:

"This Government is determined to make the most of Scotland's image and reputation both here at home and abroad. 

"From St Andrew's Day, these images will welcome people arriving in our country and Scots coming home, giving everyone a taste and glimpse of the very best of Scotland - enticing everyone to see more.

"As one of the first things that people will see upon arriving in Scotland, these images celebrate the historic and modern day successes that have shaped our country.

"We are also highlighting a range of local success stories such as Edinburgh as UNESCO's first city of literature; Ayrshire as the home of Robert Burns, our world renowned national poet; Glasgow as the host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games; Dundee, a rejuvenated City of Discovery; Aberdeen, the Energy Capital of Europe; and Inverness, Capital of the Highlands.

"This is not about developing flashy slogans - it's much more real that that.  This is about showing what a modern, vibrant and successful country Scotland is."

Glasgow City Council Leader, Steven Purcell, said:

"We are delighted to see key messages about Glasgow - including our Commonwealth Games win - and striking city imagery incorporated into the Scottish Government's new point of entry materials being launched for St. Andrew's Day.

"These new materials mean that whatever your reason for visiting Glasgow Airport or Glasgow Prestwick, you will be left in no doubt about the modern, dynamic city that lies beyond."

This national campaign also focuses on the promotion of local areas with each airport carrying local messages.

FURTHER SUPPORTIVE QUOTES

VisitScotland chief executive Philip Riddle said:

"Scotland is famous for its warm welcome, and these new images are an excellent representation of that welcome for visitors from around the world. These will be among the first images that our visitors see when they arrive here, and so they have a key role in stimulating visitors to experience more of the fantastic range of things to do in Scotland and in establishing Scotland as a must-visit, must-return destination."

John Campbell, Chairman of Scottish Financial Enterprise said:

"Scotland is a leading international financial services centre that contributes over £7 billon a year to the Scottish economy. From Scotland our many financial services companies deliver services to clients all over the world. The industry directly and indirectly employs over 208,000 people, with a strong concentration being in the City of Edinburgh where some 14 per cent of the working population is in the industry. Scottish Financial Enterprise welcomes the Scottish Government's initiative in prominently recognising this significance through the 'Edinburgh: real financial strength' message at Edinburgh Airport."

Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of Aberdeen said:

"The University of Aberdeen is a vibrant, multinational, multicultural community at the heart of a region of outstanding natural beauty and quality of life. We are pleased to be featured in this campaign, as it highlights the vital role we play in the economic and cultural life of the North-east and Scotland."

Shirley Bell, Chief Executive of The Robert Burns World Federation in Ayrshire said:

"Robert Burns wrote "Catch the moments as they fly and use them as ye ought..."  It's great to see Scotland's bard featured in this new Scottish Government material welcoming people to Prestwick airport.  Robert Burns has great historical significance but also real modern day attraction and we wish the travellers who fly into Prestwick Airport many happy moments discovering more about this country in which he is still so warmly celebrated."

Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said:

"No matter where visitors arrive in our beautiful country they will now see images reinforcing Scotland's status as a vibrant place to live and to visit. For people arriving at the Highland capital of Inverness, it will tempt them to experience our fantastic environment and our famous Highland hospitality for themselves".

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. This campaign replaces The Best Small Country in the World campaign.
2. Pictures from the launch and copies of the art work are available (contact details below).
3. New images will appear at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Prestwick airports from 30 November 2007.

Examples of messages are:

National messages:

• One Scotland; Many Cultures
• First to introduce universal education
• 30 bottles of whisky exported every second
• Home of Golf
• Home of Europe's fastest growing life sciences community
• World leader in learning

Glasgow Airport:

• Scotland with Style
• Birthplace of Charles Rennie Macintosh
• Host City of the Commonwealth Games

Edinburgh Airport:

• UNESCO first city of literature
• Real financial strength
• Birthplace of the Enlightenment

Aberdeen Airport:

• Energy Capital of Europe
• City and Shire: Brighter Outlook

Inverness Airport:

• Inverness: Capital of the Highlands
• Fort William: Home to Mountain Bike World Cup

Dundee Airport:

• City of Discovery

Prestwick Airport:

• Home of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet
• Home of World Class Golf
• Home of the Scottish Grand National

Contact: Angela-Claire Coutts - 0131 244 2547 or Anna Hutchinson 0131 244 2668 for more information