THERE have been bigger tartan armies in London over the years.
But there have rarely been more important ones.
Today, as the Olympics get into full swing, Scotland will set out its stall. On Pall Mall, no less.
First Minister Alex Salmond and a new tartan army of officials and marketeers have opened Scotland House, a one-stop trade delegation just yards from Buckingham Palace.
But they are not there to watch the world's sporting elite. Instead, they will be selling Scotland as never before – especially as Glasgow prepares for its own big games in 2014.
Nor are they – as some critics have suggested – simply 'latching on' to an Olympiad discredited as having little direct benefit to Scotland.
This is too big an event for political point-scoring. After all, there were 'Scotland Houses' at each of the last two Commonwealth Games.
Scotland – and Glasgow – would have been right to set out their stall wherever the Olympics were held.
And as the hosts of the 2014 Games, Glasgow needs to watch how London copes in 2012. Because many of the same opportunities await us in 2014.
So there has to be plenty of room in the Scotland House for Glasgow.