Caledonia Calls On Scotland's People To Celebrate Homecoming Year
Friday 28 November
Whole of Scotland

Sir Sean Connery, Lulu, Brian Cox and Amy MacDonald are just a few of the Scottish stars appearing in a new television advert encouraging Scotland’s people to take part in next year’s Homecoming celebrations.  

Aswell as stars of song and screen, sporting heroes including Sam Torrance and Chris Hoy are also adding their voices to the campaign.    

First Minister Alex Salmond launched the advert todayat a special screening in Edinburgh’s Filmhouse, where he was joined by Eddi Reader, Sandi Thom, and Dougie MacLean whose rousing anthem is showcased in the advert.

The advert is designed toencourage people living in Scotland to invite friends and family from all over the world to “come home” to enjoy more than 200 celebratory events.   

Created by VisitScotland and EventScotland, the advert was shot in various locations around Scotland including Speyside, Orkney, Dumfries and Glencoe and depicts Scottish stars eachsinging a line from Dougie MacLean’s moving song ‘Caledonia’.   It willbe broadcast across Scotland from Friday 28^th November until Friday 5^th December and also available to be seen on www.homecomingscotland2009.com/news/caledonia.html

All the celebrities involved gave their time completely free of charge to support the making of the advert.

Aswell as appearing throughout Scotland, the advert will also be placedon websites and You Tube to encourage world-wide interest.  More than2500 Diaspora groups around the world will be sent links to send ontofriends and family and 1 million people in over 10 countries will bereached through this major marketing effort.  The advert will alsofeature in cinemas and event venues across Scotland and will be playedagain towards the end of January to coincide with the official launchof Homecoming and the Burns Weekend celebrations.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:  

“Caledoniais a song that resonates with Scots the world over. For those far awayit is a reminder of strong bonds, full of the promise of return. Thatis what makes it the perfect anthem for our Year of Homecoming.”

“Next year we will be celebrating the 250^thanniversary of our national bard, Robert Burns, who himself wrote asong for his native Caledonia. With over 200 events nationwide to markthe occasion this advert will sing to Scots about what we have tocelebrate. “

“I’m especially proud that we have a stellarline-up of Scottish talent who will deliver this invitation throughthis new television campaign. Sir Sean Connery, Brian Cox, Chris Hoy,Dougie MacLean, Sandi Thom, Eddi Reader, Amy Macdonald, Sam Torrance,Lulu, Kelly Brown and Thom Evans are among the Scottish talents whohave given their time and support for Scotland’s year of Homecoming. Ihope that across the country others will be inspired to do the same,and take the time to extend a hand to friends and family around theglobe.”

Peter Lederer, Chairman of VisitScotland and EventScotland said:  

“Homecoming Scotland offers a fantastic programme of over 200 events throughout 2009, inspired by the 250^th anniversary of our national poet and international icon, Robert Burns.”

“Wehope the advert and celebrations taking place next year inspire peoplein Scotland and remind them they come from a country that is bothrespected and admired throughout the world.  The celebrities featuringin the advert have given their time and energy completely free ofcharge and we are extremely grateful to them for their interest in theproject.”

For high res image stills please click on, www.visitscotland.org/homecoming_advert_images

List of locations and celebrities appearing in front of them are:

• Edinburgh Castle – Sir Sean Connery
• Strathisla Distillery, Keith, Speyside – Kelly Brown, Thom Evans, from the Scottish Rugby Team
• Ring of Brodgar, Orkney – Brian Cox
• Glasgow Science Centre – Chris Hoy
• Turnberry – Sam Torrance
• Castle Stalker - Lulu
• Buachaille Etive Mhor, Glencoe – Amy Macdonald
• Far Beach, Sutherland – Sandi Thom
• Robert Burns Statue, Dumfries – Eddi Reader

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sharon Makepeace, Press Officer

VisitScotland

Telephone: 0131 472 2432/07771 981 236

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pager: 07785 515460 (for out of hours press enquiries)

Courtesy of Visit Scotland