1. Sean Connery walking with Senator Trent Lott and Vice President Dick Cheney to award ceremony

2. Crowd applauding

3. Connery looks to crowd

4. Wide shot of the award ceremony in front of US Capitol

5. Cutaway of crowd

6. Presentation of the 2001 William Wallace Award, Connery walks up to podium

7. Cutaway of crowd

8. SOUNDBITE: Sir Sean Connery

"You will find our majestic countryside open. You will find our championship golf courses open - although not too easy. But most of all you will find the hearts of our people open. You will always be sure of a healthy and hearty welcome."

9. Wide shot of Connery speaking in front of US Capitol

NOTHING TO FEAR IN SCOTLAND SAYS CONNERY

============================================

SIR SEAN CONNERY was in Washington yesterday, backing the Scottish Government's efforts to calm American fears about foot-and-mouth disease.

Wearing a full Highland regalia, Sir Sean received an award for his contribution to the Scottish-American community on the steps of the U.S Capitol.

The actor used the platform to help boost Scotland's tourist industry which faces disaster because of the negative publicity over the farming crisis.

In a ceremony attended by American Vice President DICK CHENEY, Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish and a delegation from the Scottish Parliament, Sir Sean said he was proud to be Scottish and to have been honoured by America.

Sir Sean, an outspoken Scot's nationalist, also reiterated his support for Scottish independence.

Oscar winner Sir Sean was honoured by the Saint Andrew's Society of the United States with the William Wallace Award, given annually on Tartan Day.

Tartan Day marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, when Scotland's nobility wrote to the Pope asking for his recognition of Scottish nationhood.

The day marks America's Scottish links and the former James Bond actor is the second person to receive the award.

SHOTLIST:

1. Sean Connery walking with Senator Trent Lott and Vice President Dick Cheney to award ceremony

2. Crowd applauding

3. Connery looks to crowd

4. Wide shot of the award ceremony in front of US Capitol

5. Cutaway of crowd

6. Presentation of the 2001 William Wallace Award, Connery walks up to podium

7. Cutaway of crowd

8. SOUNDBITE: Sir Sean Connery

"You will find our majestic countryside open. You will find our championship golf courses open - although not too easy. But most of all you will find the hearts of our people open. You will always be sure of a healthy and hearty welcome."

9. Wide shot of Connery speaking in front of US Capitol

NOTHING TO FEAR IN SCOTLAND SAYS CONNERY

============================================

SIR SEAN CONNERY was in Washington yesterday, backing the Scottish Government's efforts to calm American fears about foot-and-mouth disease.

Wearing a full Highland regalia, Sir Sean received an award for his contribution to the Scottish-American community on the steps of the U.S Capitol.

The actor used the platform to help boost Scotland's tourist industry which faces disaster because of the negative publicity over the farming crisis.

In a ceremony attended by American Vice President DICK CHENEY, Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish and a delegation from the Scottish Parliament, Sir Sean said he was proud to be Scottish and to have been honoured by America.

Sir Sean, an outspoken Scot's nationalist, also reiterated his support for Scottish independence.

Oscar winner Sir Sean was honoured by the Saint Andrew's Society of the United States with the William Wallace Award, given annually on Tartan Day.

Tartan Day marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, when Scotland's nobility wrote to the Pope asking for his recognition of Scottish nationhood.

The day marks America's Scottish links and the former James Bond actor is the second person to receive the award.