World is taking the high road to Capital

IT'S a picture of Scotland recognised around the world – and now it is to be a key part of a campaign to bring the world to Scotland.

Kilted competitors putting the shot or tossing the caber may not be an everyday sight in the Capital, But next summer Holyrood Park will host Scotland's biggest Highland Games as part of the Year of Homecoming.

From Burns Night in January until St Andrew's Day in November, Scotland will host a country-wide programme of more than 100 events and invite Scots and people who love Scotland to "come home" in 2009.

The year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of national bard Robert Burns.

The Homecoming activities will celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world, including whisky, golf, literature, great Scottish minds and inventions and the country's rich culture and heritage.

The programme was being launched at Edinburgh Castle today by First Minister Alex Salmond.

The Gathering 2009, held over two days, July 25 and 26, in Holyrood Park, will bring together clan members from around the world.

As well as the traditional heavy events and hill running, there will be displays by pipers and Highland dancers, live music, top- quality arts and crafts and local food and drink.

A clan parade up the Royal Mile will culminate in a historic pageant on the Castle esplanade.

However, the Gathering is only one part of the wide-ranging programme unveiled today.

The Homecoming is embracing annual events such as the Royal Highland Show, the Science Festival, the Film Festival, Book Festival, International Festival and the Tattoo, as well as promoting other highlights of the year such as rugby's Heineken Cup final at Murrayfield and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens, both in May.

There will be events all over Scotland, including a Whisky Month, also in May.

Numerous exhibitions have also been organised in the Capital, covering history, art and the story of Scots around the world.

In November, Edinburgh will host an illuminated art car parade, featuring such innovations as a Robert Burns poetry van, a Burke and Hare barrow, a golf car, a whisky truck and a bagpipe truck. The Finale Weekend, from November 28-30, is being billed as a unique celebration of Scottish music "the likes and scale of which has never been seen before".

Mr Salmond said: "The exciting programme of events unveiled today demonstrates the richness of our culture and heritage."

The First Minister urged Scots to embrace the year and get involved by encouraging friends, family and colleagues from around the world to come and join the celebrations.

"With so many inspiring and exceptional activities to choose from, the programme promises to give everyone a reason to come home," he said.

"It is an invitation to connect with Scotland's past and future, on a scale never seen before. Now we all need to make sure that Scots at home and abroad get the message."

VisitScotland chairman Peter Lederer said the Homecoming was already being promoted extensively abroad. He said: "We have already seen a great deal of interest from our key tourism markets and the fantastic range of events announced today is sure to be very popular with visitors."

PROGRAMME RANGES FROM BURNS TO THE BLUES

January
• National Library of Scotland: World Burns Night.
Traditional Scots music and poetry meets musical traditions from around the world, inspired by Robert Burns' Internationalism and humanity.

March 6 - May 23
• National Library of Scotland: Scots Music Abroad
From Handel's arrangements of Scottish tunes to the roots of African American blues and soul, this free exhibition will explore the worldwide legacy of Scots music.

May
• Various venues across Scotland: Whisky Month
From a tasting session at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, to a three-day whisky course in Fife, there are a range of ways to sample Scotland's national tipple.

July 25-26
• Holyrood Park, Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle: The Gathering 2009
Clan members from around the world gather to witness Scotland's largest ever Highland Games in Holyrood Park. The centrepiece will be a colourful clan parade on the Royal Mile, culminating in a historic pageant on the Castle Esplanade.