Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an inspirational year round celebration of Scotland�s culture and heritage to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland�s national poet Robert Burns, known the world over for his famous song of friendship, 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Australian visitors with Scottish ancestry as well as those with a lifelong ambition to visit Scotland are invited to join the celebrations.

From Burns Night to St Andrew�s Day 2009 a country wide programme of exciting and inspirational Homecoming events and activities will appeal to Scotland�s extended family around the globe by celebrating some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations, and our rich culture and heritage - which lives on at home and through the many millions of people of Scots descent worldwide.

Commenting on the Homecoming programme, First Minister Alex Salmond said: �I would like to extend to you a very warm invitation to join our year long Homecoming Scotland celebrations in Scotland in 2009� �

A programme of inspirational events will run through 2009 complementing the vast range of world-class attractions already offered in Scotland. From the world�s biggest ever Clan Gathering in Edinburgh to Celtic Connections in Glasgow and from the Open Championship at Turnberry to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, there�s something special for everyone.�

�Whether you have Scots ancestry or simply a passion for our great nation, 2009 will be an exceptional year to visit Scotland.� The Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme formally kicks off on the weekend of Robert Burns� 250th anniversary (January 24th � 25th) with new as well as traditional Burns events planned in key locations across Scotland whilst in Glasgow, Celtic Connections, Scotland�s biggest winter music festival, will showcase major international contemporary performers influenced by Burns.

Moving into Spring time, May is Whisky Month with an invitation extended to come to the Home of Whisky to explore and appreciate the expertise of the stillsmen and master blenders whose diligence has created one of Scotland�s biggest exports and extensions of its culture.

Kicking off the celebrations at the biggest ever Spirit of Speyside Festival (1st � 10th May), the Scotch Whisky Industry will open its doors to visitors and locals alike. From special events at distilleries, tasting sessions and residential whisky courses, there will be a wide range of ways to sample Scotland�s national tipple.

Over the summer months Homecoming Scotland 2009 will present some brand new and enhanced major international events. The Gathering (July 25-26) has been created especially for the Homecoming year to celebrate the contribution that Scottish clans have made to the history and culture of the world. Two days of Highland Games in Edinburgh�s Holyrood Park will feature some of the greatest pipers, dancers and the world�s leading Highland athletes whilst beneath the ancient ramparts of Edinburgh Castle there will be a spectacular Historic Clan pageant.

This will be one of the largest Clan Gatherings ever held on Scottish soil. In addition to this new event, there are plans for special Homecoming activity at some of Scotland�s stellar international events including The Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Aug 7 � 30) and The Open Golf Championship (July 16-18) which returns to the Home of Golf in 2009 and the Ailsa Championship course, Turnberry.

In the Highlands in October, plans include the creation of a fortnight long festival celebrating the best of traditional Highland Culture. This will be built around a major international Diaspora event and supported by a wide range of regional and fringe activities taking place across the Highlands.

The finale to the year will take place around St Andrew�s Day when Homecoming Scotland will present a major celebration of Scottish music from traditional Scottish folk heroes to the most cutting edge of contemporary Scottish bands currently making their mark internationally.

Detailed programme information will be announced in June. For updates, visit: www.homecomingscotland2009.com In the meantime, for those keen to get involved now, here�s how:

Extend the invite: Whether you are part of our extended global family, or maybe you just love Scotland, spread the word by telling your friends and relatives wherever they live, about the special year of Homecoming and encourage them to join us in our 2009 celebrations.

For businesses and organisations wishing to promote Homecoming, you can download the Homecoming logo for inclusion on your marketing communications and we'd also be delighted if you included a link to our website � www.homecomingscotland2009.com - on your website.

Sign up for the Homecoming Scotland newsletter and be the first to hear about the exciting events programme as well as general information about visiting Scotland: http://www.homecomingscotland.com/business/business-register-form.aspx Notes to Editors:

Homecoming Scotland 2009

1.Homecoming Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland national tourism agency.

2.Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to motivate people of Scottish descent, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.

3.2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme's design guided by Scotland's unique position as the home of Burns himself, Golf, Whisky, great minds and innovations, rich culture and heritage and as the ancestral home of millions of people of Scots descent worldwide.

4.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2009 please visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com

VisitScotland 1.VisitScotland is Scotland�s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.

2.The organisation has five roles:

- To give strategic direction to the tourism industry. - To attract visitors by marketing Scotland and the country�s tourism assets to all parts of the world in the UK and internationally. - To provide information and inspiration. � To visitors and potential visitors to enable them to get the best out of a visit to Scotland. - To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to industry partners to ensure the industry delivers to meet or exceed visitors� expectations. - To promote partnerships with the wider industry to ensure we all reap the economic benefits of collective effort.

3.VisitScotland is working with the tourism industry and other partners to achieve a 50 per cent growth in tourism revenues for Scotland by 2015.

4.The organisation employs over 1,000 people and has offices and tourist information centres across Scotland.

For futher information:

Sarah Styles E: Sarah.Styles@visitbritain.org T: +61 (0) 2 9021 4412