Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, FirstMinister of Scotland today (Monday 16 June), launched the country'sfirst ever Homecoming year, at Edinburgh Castle.

Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's nationalpoet, the international cultural icon, Robert Burns, HomecomingScotland 2009 will encourage people of Scottish descent, Scots, andthose who love Scotland to come home in 2009 and take part in aninspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the manygreat contributions Scotland has given the world.

From Burns Night (Jan 25) to St Andrew's Day (Nov 30) 2009, a countrywide programme of Homecoming events and activities has been designed tocelebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burnshimself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations andScotland's culture and heritage which lives on at home and throughScotland's global family.

Organisations all over the country ranging from community groups, topublic and private bodies are planning new and enhanced Homecomingactivity and invite both Scots and those with a passion for Scotland tojoin the celebrations. From the Shetland Isles in the north to Selkirkin the south; Barra in the west to Aberdeen in the east, a packedcalendar of over 100 events is already in place with many moreactivities being developed in the run up to 2009.

Speaking at the launch the Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister ofScotland said: "Next year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of ournational poet and cultural icon Robert Burns and a chance to celebrateScotland's contribution to the world.

"The exciting programme of events unveiled today demonstrates therichness of our culture and heritage, with events ranging from thebiggest clan gathering for 200 years to an exhibition of contemporaryart, inspired by Robert Burns, which includes contributions from JohnByrne and Tracy Emin."
The First Minister urged Scots to embrace the year and get involved byencouraging friends, family and colleagues from around the world tocome and join the celebrations:

"With so many inspiring and exceptional activities to choose from theprogramme promises to give everyone a reason to come home. It is aninvitation to connect with Scotland's past and future, on a scale neverseen before. Now we all need to make sure that Scots at home and abroadget the message."

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a Scottish Government initiative beingdelivered by EventScotland in partnership with VisitScotland.

Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said: "As Scotland'snational events agency, EventScotland is ideally placed to manage thedelivery of Homecoming Scotland in 2009.

"EventScotland has already created a portfolio of world class events,ensuring Scotland capitalises on the growing trend of event tourism,and Homecoming is an extension of this work. We have worked with ourpublic sector and event industry partners to create a tailoredprogramme of events and festivals to inspire Scots worldwide to comehome in 2009.

"The result of this enthusiasm is that 2009 will be a very excitingyear, and will bring Scots, people with Scots ancestry, and those whosimply love Scotland 'home' for this landmark year."

Commenting on the worldwide marketing of Homecoming, VisitScotland'sChairman Peter Lederer said: "We have already seen a great deal ofinterest in Homecoming 2009 from our key tourism markets and thefantastic range of events announced today is sure to be very popularwith visitors. VisitScotland has been promoting Homecoming extensively,with Scotland in Toronto, New York's Scotland Week and a travel tradeevent in Australia just some examples of our recent activity. We willbuild on this success with a programme of marketing and PR which willpromote Homecoming Scotland 2009 to potential visitors within the UKand around the world."

The event programme launched today is a key part of Homecoming. MarieChristie, Homecoming Scotland 2009 Project Director said: "Indeveloping the programme so far we've had a fantastic response fromorganisations, large and small from every area in Scotland, who havereally taken the concept of Homecoming to their hearts and havedeveloped diverse and inspiring activity for 2009.

"The programme detail announced today is just the beginning of theHomecoming story, over the coming months we will be releasing moreinformation and bringing more and more partners on board. We thinkthere is something in the programme for everyone and we hope Scots, andthose who love Scotland, at home and abroad will join the celebrationsin 2009. It's an exciting year for Scotland, it's a great year to comehome."

A key part of today's announcement was the call for Scots to get involved in Homecoming. Here's how:

Extend the invite: Whether you are a native Scot; part of Scotland'sextended global family, or maybe you just love Scotland, spread theword by telling your friends and relatives wherever they live, aboutthe special year of Homecoming and encourage them to join us in our2009 celebrations.

Log on to the official Homecoming website: www.homecomingscotland2009.com and send an e-invite inviting friends and family home.

Sign up for the Homecoming Scotland newsletter and be the first to getupdates on exciting events as well as general information aboutHomecoming: www.homecomingscotland2009.com

For event organisers looking to develop Homecoming activities, contactthe Homecoming Team who can assist with advice and in-kind marketingsupport. Further information can be obtained by contacting RebeccaMcPherson, Homecoming Scotland 2009 T: +44 (0) 131 472 2408 / email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For businesses and organisations wishing to promote Homecoming Scotland2009, a logo can be downloaded from the websitewww.homecomingscotland2009.com for inclusion within marketingcommunications.

Further information:
Homecoming Scotland