By Mario Ledwith

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It was billed by First Minister Alex Salmond as Scotland's London 'embassy', aimed at attracting foreign investment into the country.

But the exclusive Pall Mall club hired by the Scottish National Party for the duration of the Games was largely empty yesterday.

Mr Salmond was widely condemned for spending 400,000 of taxpayers' money hiring the Army and Navy Club – described by critics as a 'vanity project'.

Bare: The exclusive Pall Mall club hired by the Scottish National Party for the duration of the Games was largely empty yesterday

Bare: The exclusive Pall Mall club hired by the Scottish National Party for the duration of the Games was largely empty yesterday

Not popular: Ministers had hoped to create a hive of activity, attracting masses of foreign interest in Scottish industries  but the venues lavish conference suites and hosting rooms were mostly unoccupied

Not popular: Ministers had hoped to create a 'hive of activity', attracting masses of foreign interest in Scottish industries - but the venue's lavish conference suites and hosting rooms were mostly unoccupied

Ministers had hoped to create a 'hive of activity', attracting masses of foreign interest in Scottish industries – but the venue's lavish conference suites and hosting rooms were mostly unoccupied.

The majority of those within the club, grandly renamed Scotland House, were government officials and staff from quangos including VisitScotland and Creative  Scotland, which are funding the venture.

The building, a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, was ignored by passers-by and most visitors yesterday were from Scotland itself.

They were greeted by a huge portrait of SNP supporter Sir Sean Connery. The image of the James Bond actor appeared in front of a blue background beside the slogan 'Scotland welcomes the world'.

It was joined by other celebrities including golfer Colin Montgomerie and singer Emeli Sande, on backgrounds which replicated the saltire.

Visitors to the lavish building were also given entry to the  Chariots of Fire suite, a wood-panelled bar renamed after the 1981 film following 'Flying Scotsman' Eric Liddell.

One of the Army and Navy Club's other lounges was also renamed The Whisky Bar, serving a range of spirits and beers from Scotland.

Unfortunate: The building, a stones throw from Buckingham Palace, was ignored by passers-by and most visitors yesterday were from Scotland itself

Unfortunate: The building, a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, was ignored by passers-by and most visitors yesterday were from Scotland itself

The First Minister could have hired space at the Scotland Office's equally luxurious Dover House in the capital for a significantly lower cost.

His decision to open a separate venue in London is believed to be an attempt at distancing himself from Westminster ahead of the forthcoming referendum on Scotland's independence.

But despite being billed as a 'unique opportunity' to promote Scottish culture, visitors to the club appeared uninterested.

Ambitious: The visitor centre was billed by First Minister Alex Salmond as Scotlands London embassy, aimed at attracting foreign investment into the country

Ambitious: The visitor centre was billed by First Minister Alex Salmond as Scotland's London 'embassy', aimed at attracting foreign investment into the country

They were offered miniature national flags and a list of times when Scottish athletes were competing.

But not one person watched Andy Murray defeat Finnish player Jarkko Nieminen in the tennis on two large screens.

Mr Salmond has been ridiculed for encouraging Scots to support 'Scolympians', rather than all members of Team GB.

His sports minister Shona Robison visited the club yesterday evening to promote 'our athletes', a statement seeking to separate Scottish athletes from their team-mates in Team GB.

The Scottish government insists its focus will be on promoting Scotland, despite David Cameron having already announced a programme of events promoting the United Kingdom, including Scotland, during the Games.

Speaking at the opening of Scotland House last Friday, Mr Salmond said: 'This is a little bit of England that will be forever Scotland.'

The cost of the venue will be shared between the Scottish government and five of its quangos – VisitScotland, EventScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Creative Scotland and sportScotland.

A Scottish government spokesman said last night: 'The venue is the best base to present Scotland's interests to a worldwide audience.

'Guests have been using Scotland House day and night and tonight over 200 people are in Scotland House for a range of events to promote the best of Scotland.'