Aberdeen is being urged to “Paint The Town Tartan” as excitement builds for Scotland’s return to the World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years.
Aberdeen Inspired is inviting shops, restaurants, bars, businesses and other attractions to dress their buildings in a sea of tartan and messages of support for the Scottish squad before they head for the USA next month.
The Business Improvement District’s goal to encourage World Cup fever in the Granite City to spur Scotland has already been backed by business leaders – and by Dons and Scotland legend Willie Miller, who has called Paint The Town Tartan a great initiative.
“I think the city needs it as a boost. The Tall Ships was a brilliant example of what can be done and the enthusiasm that can be achieved in this area. So (Paint The Town Tartan) will give the whole of Aberdeen and the shire an opportunity to enjoy themselves and support their country,” said Willie.
“I would hope that everybody would get behind it and give the city a lift, but also give obviously the nation a lift - as well as Steve Clarke and his men as they go out to, perhaps, for the first time qualify out of the league stages of the competition, which would be fabulous.”
from left, Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired; Kenny Bruce, Centre Manager at Trinity Centre Aberdeen; piper Rebecca Knox, of Robert Gordon's College Pipe Band; Kate Kenyon, of Aberdeen Inspired, and Paul Thomas and Cameron McIntosh, both of the Official Scotland Shop. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Willie, who played for Scotland in the World Cup in 1982 and 1986, said knowing the whole of Aberdeen was behind them would give the Scottish squad a real boost as they head across the Atlantic.
“It is important to them to look back home and see everybody is solidly behind them, giving them support, especially in the north-east. That would be a great gesture from the city and I’m sure the north-east and Aberdeen, in particular, will get fully behind the squad.”
As part of their Paint The Town Tartan drive, Aberdeen Inspired will offer “activation packs” of tartan bunting and colourful ballons to its city centre business members to help get the party started. It will also have other tartan and football-inspired surprises as the campaign goes on.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said it was his hope to see the Granite City awash with tartan and any other way of cheering on Scotland’s World Cup heroes.
“It is a generation since Scotland last had a tilt at World Cup glory and I know all of Aberdeen will want to do their bit to cheer the squad on to every success. Knowing they have this level of tangible and visible support in Aberdeen will a massive boost for the whole squad.
“World Cup fever would also be a major lift for the city centre, too, hopefully helping to recreate the sense of excitement and fun that we all enjoyed during the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen last summer.”
Adrian said Paint The Town Tartan would also bring back memories of the “All In Red” campaign launched by Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen FC and the Aberdeen FC Community Trust ahead of the Dons’ Scottish Cup final last year.
“Let’s not forget that when the whole of the city got behind AFC by going All In Red, the Dons went on to lift the Scottish Cup, So, who knows what might happen this summer when we Paint The Town Tartan? In the words of a previous Scotland World Cup song, ‘We Have A Dream’.”
Adrian added that as well as boosting Scotland across the Atlantic, the Paint The Town Tartan campaign will lift local businesses and traders by attracting more people into the city centre to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
“We know many businesses will be offering World Cup themed events, offers and deals and being part of Paint The Town Tartan will help promote all of those.”
World Cup countdown clock in the window of the Official Scotland Shop
Kenny Bruce, Centre Manager at Trinity Centre Aberdeen, said: “Paint The Town Tartan is a fantastic way for Aberdeen to show its support for the Scotland World Cup squad and celebrate the incredible passion there is for the Tartan Army here in the North-east.
“Everyone at Trinity Centre, along with our retailers, will be proudly backing the campaign, and I’d encourage as many shops, restaurants, bars, and businesses across the city centre as possible to get involved and help create a real buzz.
“We’ve waited almost 30 years for this moment, so it’s important we get behind the team and enjoy the excitement together. I can’t wait to see Aberdeen really Paint The Town Tartan.”
Paint The Town Tartan was launched at the SFA Official Scotland Shop in the Trinity Centre, as a small crowd gathered to watch piper Rebecca Knox, of Robert Gordon College’s Pipe play to mark the start of the campaign.
Paul Thomas, store manager of the Official Scotland Shop - which offers a wide arrange of SFA merchandise - said he hoped businesses and the people of Aberdeen would back the Paint The Town Tartan initiative.
“I think it is essential for businesses to join in to get the World Cup frenzy going with the general public,” he said.
“People want to get on board with the World Cup and they want to enjoy it, and we want to encourage them into the city centre and into the shops, restaurants and bars. That’s exactly what Paint The Town Tartan will help us do. Eveyone is a winner if we get this right.”