Sir Sean Connery has called on Americans to visit Scotland despite fears over foot-and-mouth.
The Oscar-winning actor spoke of the "majestic" countryside and "open hearts" of the people.
Sir Sean was speaking as he received a special award in the United States as part of the Tartan Week celebrations.
Both First Minister Henry McLeish and Scottish National Party leader John Swinney attended the special ceremony in Washington DC.
The ceremony took place outside the US
Capitol building
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The event is one of many held to promote Scotland ahead of Tartan Day on Friday, which marks the Scots' contribution to the US.
In its formative years Scottish Americans helped to shape the United States.
Almost half of those who signed the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent.
But today Scotland needs events like these to boost its profile in the US.
Business links
National Tartan Day - which marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 - has been viewed by senior Scottish government figures as an opportunity to improve transatlantic business links.
Sir Sean was recruited by the First Minister to persuade America that Scotland is "open for business" despite the foot-and-mouth crisis.
The actor, a supporter of the SNP, spoke of the connection between Scotland and the United States.
He urged Americans to pay a visit to Scotland, saying: "Let me say come this year in particular.
You will find our majestic countryside open. You will find our championship golf courses open - although not easy!
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Sir Sean Connery
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"But most of all you will find the hearts of our people open."
The multi-billion pound Scottish tourist industry has suffered with the images of burning carcasses being beamed around the world.
So far there are 131 cases of foot-and-mouth reported in Scotland, all but two of which are in Dumfries and Galloway.