Scotsman Archive: Prestwick naming ceremony criticised, 16 January, 1950

THE Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir Andrew Murray, addressing members of the Saltire Society, described as "a most miserable function" the recent ceremony at Prestwick, when the Minister of Civil Aviation, Lord Pakenham, named the BOAC stratocruiser flagship "Caledonia".

The Lord Provost was present at the ceremony on Saturday, 7 January, Lord Pakenham performing the naming ceremony by pouring champagne over the nose of the aircraft from a silver quaich loaned by the city of Edinburgh. "The aircraft arrived ten minutes before it should," said the Lord Provost. "Two figures appeared – one Irish and one English. They duly named the stratocruiser. Then we went in for a buffet lunch. I refused to speak because I was so annoyed.

"They left as quickly as they could, having been there from 11:45am to 2:30pm. That was the lip service paid to Scotland. It was the most miserable function. I have a letter of apology from Sir Patrick Dollan, who admitted it was not up to standard."

archive.scotsman.com