Many years ago my home town, Annan, held a competition to name the local hospital. Various names were proposed linked to famous names from the area. The winner was “Annan Hospital”. The winners were a team of school pupils and it is obvious their skills have been utilised elsewhere.
For some time visitors to Scotland were greeted by slogans claiming that Scotland was “the best small country in the world”. Alex Salmond hated that. He felt it exhibited all of the characteristics of the Scottish mindset that worst reflected the nation. GIven his position of authority wee Eck demanded a review. A new slogan for a new Scotland.
Crack teams of sloganeers (buoyed by their previous success in naming Annan Hospital) toiled for literally minutes, before submitting a bill of £125,000 to come up with a new slogan.
The new slogan was unveiled today. It is
[drumroll]
The minister for external affairs, Linda Fabiani, justified this as follows:
“This is not about developing flashy slogans [ yes, that's obvious ] – it’s much more real that that. [mmmm ] This is about showing what a modern, vibrant and successful country Scotland is.”
I’m not sure how this slogan will sell overseas – in places that aren’t Scotland – unless someone can add an extra “L” to transform it to “Well, come to Scotland”? But never mind. It’s so much better than the old one, isn’t it?
Isn’t it?
I’m in the wrong business.