A promotion of Scottish produce at London's most famous department store will start with a bang next week (Tuesday 12th August), with the first grouse shot on the Balnagown Estate in Ross-shire being delivered to Harrods on the Glorious 12th.

Fresh grouse will be hand-delivered to Harrods by Sylvie Main - a food development manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) - and will mark the beginning of the 'Clearly Caledonian' ten-day promotion.

HIE and Scottish Enterprise, through Scottish Food & Drink, are supporting the event at Harrods - the Knightsbridge store owned by Balnagowan Laird, Mohamed Al Fayed.

The delivery of the grouse to Harrods at 12 noon on the 12th will mean an early start for shooters at Balnagown.  They will have to be out on the moor by 4am, as dawn breaks, in order to have the birds at Inverness Airport for Sylvie's 7am flight to London.

Sylvie explained: "Over 50 companies from throughout Scotland have been chosen to take part in this high profile event at Harrods.  The food and drink producers selected to take part in 'Clearly Caledonian' range from large, household names like Walkers and Baxters to small, one-man operations.

"Everyone involved agreed that the delivery of fresh grouse from the Highlands to Harrods would be an appropriate launch for the food and drink promotion."

The 'Clearly Caledonian' event will help to raise the profile of the Scottish food and drink producers taking part and will hopefully result in new business for them.

Harrods representatives selected the companies from an initial list of 200 producers.  Harrods chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed said: "I have always had a special fondness for Scotland - it's people are very agreeable, the countryside is spectacular and the history is rich and unique - a combination which makes my home in the Scottish Highlands one of my most favourite places.

"Scotland has untold riches to offer, most especially as the producer of some of the finest foods in the United Kingdom.  I am very proud that Harrods is able to host this event to showcase the very finest Scottish produce."

Maggie McGinlay, director of Food & Drink, Scottish Enterprise said: "We are delighted that the spotlight is being put on Scottish Food & Drink by Harrods. Scotland produces a fantastic range of premium quality produce and the tempting array in-store will give food-lovers the chance to sample a selection of our splendid Scottish fare."

The 'Clearly Caledonian' event will feature food and drink tastings, cookery demonstrations and entertainment as well as a VIP shopping evening on Thursday 21st August.