A flavour of Angus will greet the record number of visitors expected to arrive at Scottish airports in 2015.
As part of a new drive to create a lasting first impression for travellers coming through the arrival gates of the country’s six main airports, Scotland’s people are places feature in ten striking new posters among them Arbroath and its famous smokies.
Smokie producer Iain R Spink is pictured with the culinary delight at Arbroath harbourside as part of the promotional series, which also features the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and locations including historic Abbotsford House in the Borders, Aikengall community wind farm in East Lothian and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Mr Spink told The Courier he was “absolutely delighted” to be chosen for the high-profile campaign.
“There has been a huge upsurge in interest in locally produced foods and this is just fantastic,” he said.
“I’m delighted for the product and for Arbroath. Things like this help continue to put the smokie up on the big stage and let the world know what a wonderful product we have here,” he said.
Iain’s hectic summer schedule, where the plume of reek from his smoking barrel is a familiar sight at Highland games and other shows, means, however, he’s unlikely to be greeted by his own smiling coming back through an airport arrivals door.
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Glasgow Prestwick, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen airports will all display the new posters throughout this year as Scotland prepares to welcome an anticipated total of some 25million visitors, building on the momentum of a 2014 which was boosted by events including Homecoming, the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
Cabinet secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said, “This is about creating the right first impression for visitors to Scotland.
“We are blessed with beautiful scenery and wonderful people with a flair for artistic expression, creativity and innovation. These images capture Scotland’s strengths as a modern and dynamic nation.”
The Scottish Government-commissioned images will also be used online and in social media.
Dundee Airport manager Derrick Lang said: “Dundee Airport is proud of its role as the golf gateway for Tayside, Fife and Perthshire.
“The airport played an important role during last year’s Ryder Cup, welcoming international visitors from around the globe.
“We hope that this latest advertising campaign, and the publicity generated by the Open Championship at nearby St Andrews, will help raise the city’s profile and encourage many more international visitors to the area.”