Edible mini mountains, herb lollipops and chocolate standing stones are being used to give those in the Big Apple a taste of Scotland in a special exhibition launching next week.
Edinburgh based Jelly and Gin, who create unforgettable edible adventures, are set to put on a show stopping ‘edible exhibition’ on 8th April in New York as part of VisitScotland’s Scotland Week (4-12 April) activity.
In order to showcase the Year of Food and Drink 2015 and illustrate Scotland as a centre for exciting food and drink innovation, the event, attended by key media contacts, will celebrate the country’s history and landscapes with everything from chocolate Scottish mountains to herb lollipops and standing stones.
Taking place from 4–12 April, VisitScotland Chairman Mike Cantlay, Chief Executive Malcolm Roughead and Director of Marketing Charlie Smith are leading the national tourism organisation’s delegation in the promotion of Scotland.
Throughout the week, VisitScotland staff are meeting with numerous business contacts, conducting a whirlwind of media interviews and hosting a number of key events across Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.
As the national tourism organisation continues to promote ‘Scotland, the land that inspired Outlander’, VisitScotland will carry a large banner during the Tartan Day Parade encouraging people to visit visitscotland.com/outlander. Graham McTavish, star of the hit TV series, which can now be streamed on Amazon Prime in the UK, will be the Grand Marshall of the 17th annual New York Tartan Day Parade which also features 300 lucky Outlander fans.
Smoked trout from RR Spink, a family company based in Arbroath, will be served at the Tartan Day parade press launch and VisitScotland’s diaspora breakfast – an event designed to spread the national tourism organisation’s messages to key figures within the diaspora communities.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said: “Scotland Week this year is a significant opportunity for Scottish tourism to exploit, with favourable exchange rates for American tourists and more choice of direct flights than ever before. The USA is Scotland’s largest single international market and thanks to the combination of The Ryder Cup and the Homecoming Programme Scotland saw unprecedented growth last year – up 33% in visits, and 43% in spend. So our objective with Scotland Week this year is to ensure we continue that momentum and strongly promote Scotland as a destination for those with an interest in golf, ancestry, and both leisure and business tourism.
“The secret behind our success in these important markets is continually investing in innovative new ways to promote Scotland as well as nurturing the interest in diaspora and heritage which remains strong. This is the Year of Food and Drink and this edible exhibition gives a real flavour of a Scotland that is at the centre of an exciting food and drink revolution, but also provides an insight into the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design in 2016, bringing creativity and science to the fore. Also, Scotland’s tournament golf calendar is comprehensive with this year’s Open at St Andrews as a particular draw.
“So we’ll be using these popular events across North America and Canada, like the New York Tartan Day Parade, to keep Scotland foremost in the minds of potential visitors. What’s more, Scotland is ‘the land that inspired Outlander’ which has been a blockbusting hit across the USA and Canada and we are looking forward to telling everyone who will listen just how welcome they will be in Scotland in 2015.”
Carol Soutar, Creative Director at Jelly and Gin said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be putting on a Scotland Week edible exhibition in New York, and can’t wait to showcase Scotland as a centre of exciting food and drink innovation. We’ve designed a range of edible items inspired by Scotland’s rich history and landscape, from beautifully presented miniature mountains and chocolate standing stones to herb lollipops and an interactive whisky tasting experience – it’s going to be a great event!”
Tartan Day on April 6 is a celebration of Scottish heritage to coincide with the date the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. Scotland Week is designed to engage leisure, business and Diaspora audiences from the significant North American market. The week is an annual celebration in North America of the very best in Scottish culture and every year thousands get together to celebrate all things Scottish with VisitScotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and many others running events.
Over 50 million people claim Scottish heritage worldwide with the majority in North America. Scotland Week provides a unique opportunity for people to reconnect with their heritage, whilst also learning more about this wonderful country.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
