A SALTCOATS ex-pat living in Dubai did a presentation to international students – and impressed them with ‘Scotland’s other national drink’, Irn Bru.

Robert Bruce Mullan is studying a joint degree in Law and Business at The London School of Marketing Dubai.

The business consultant emigrated to the Middle East six years ago to broaden his horizons and set up his own business.

Robert is now a successful businessman, running online firm Savvy Setup, which offers information on business set-ups and company formation.

The 44-year-old was recently joined by 10 students, who had flown to the United Arab Emirates from various corners of the world, to participate on an executive five-day course.

The course was one sixth of Robert’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), which he is due to finish with his Master of Laws (LLM)next year.

As part of his final assessment, Robert carried out a presentation in front of the international students, who had come from as far as Libya, Nigeria, and India.

Robert was keen to showcase to the students some of Scotland’s home-grown assets in terms of brands.

He was particularly keen to introduce them to Irn Bru – and found that they all enjoyed the famous Barr’s classic.

Robert’s presentation featured a product tasting session with Irn Bru and Walker’s shortbread.

He outlined how Irn Bru out-sells Coca Cola in Scotland and how it has become part of the country’s national identity.

Robert’s presentation was well received by the international students, who took samples back to their home countries.

Following the event, he said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to network with some international business talent from Africa and further afield, being able to take a taste of home to an international audience who simply loved a taste of Scotland in the form of Irn Bru and shortbread.

“As the only Scottish delegate these products are close to my heart and it’s important to me that I fly the flag at every opportunity.

“Who knows, maybe Irn Bru will start to see some demand for Barr’s products in further afield from this, as the delegates all said: ‘that’s tasty!’”

The five-day course ended with a Dubai-style Hummer cruise and dinner on a luxury yacht circling Dubai Marina, where Robert was proud to don his kilt.