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On the surface: Heathrow has renamed a runway the John McAdam Runway in homage to the Scottish inventor of tarmac |
UK. Heathrow Airport has unveiled a tartan tribute to Scotland stretching from the runway to its restaurants to mark St Andrew’s Day.
The airport is highlighting items that are made in Scotland with a specially produced tartan tag, acknowledging the contribution made by the country’s pioneers to the airport environment.
A Scotland-themed set menu has been created at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food restaurant in Terminal 5. It features smoked salmon and sourdough with a special tartan butter, followed by the traditional Scottish pudding Cranachan with a white chocolate tartan garnish, both of which have been developed by head chef Andrew Winstanley and given a special twist with Heathrow’s new tartan.
A Made in Scotland Martini served in a specially created tartan glass is also available, and features Scottish ingredients including Hendrick’s gin, Drambuie and Tayside raspberries.
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Scottish specialities: Passengers will be able to taste traditional drinks and dishes | |
Heathrow cited John McAdam, the inventor of the road surfacing material best known as tarmac, Robert Watson-Watt, developer of radar, Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, and John Logie Baird, creator of the television, as key Scottish pioneers.
The airport commissioned Glasgow born and based textile artist and designer Jilli Blackwood, who created the outfits for the Scottish team at last summer’s Commonwealth Games, to design the bespoke purple-hued tartan which has been used to tag Scottish exports within the airport’s walls. Inventions including ATMs, televisions and telephones have been covered in the plaid.
Heathrow’s runway has also been renamed the John McAdam Runway in homage to the Scottish inventor.
As part of the week-long celebrations, “˜Passenger Ambassadors’ at Heathrow will be wearing tartan sashes and will be on hand to explain the Scottish takeover to travellers.
Heathrow Airport Strategy Director Emma Gilthorpe said: “Scotland has always played an important role in innovation and export and it’s fair to say that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the originality of some great Scots. Scotland is the birthplace of many revolutionary inventions and it’s these revolutionary inventions, which make Heathrow the UK’s hub airport that it is today.”
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In style: Airport staff will be wearing the bespoke designed tartan sashes |
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Key contributions: Scottish inventions including ATMs, televisions and telephones have also been covered in the tartan |
