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Highland Homecoming Scotland 2009 Programme

Visitors to the Highlands in 2009 are guaranteed a warm welcome and a truly memorable experience. Whether you are looking for a taste of local culture and history, action-packed adventure, or just complete peace and quiet, you'll find it all in the Highlands of Scotland.

If you are planning to visit the Highlands visit www.visithighlands.com to find lots of useful information for your trip. For full details of all events in the Homecoming Scotland programme taking place in the Highland area, visit www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com

 

Highland Homecoming - ur beatha dhan dùthaich!

 
From 19 to 31 October a fantastic programme of cultural events – including arts, music, visits to historic sites in the area, informal talks and seminars – will be on offer. Look out for special events in the Highlands with a Homecoming theme throughout the year including exhibitions about the people who lived in and emigrated from the area over the centuries. We look forward to welcoming you home to the Highlands in 2009!

 

Scotland’s Global Impact

22-24 October; Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Scotland’s Global Impact – how one small nation changed the world!, Buaidh Chruinneil na h-Alba – mar a dh’atharraich aon dùthaich bheag an saoghal! is an international conference exploring and celebrating the way Scots have shaped countries and communities around the world. At a time when the Highland population is rising for the first time in centuries, this gathering brings together prominent historians and other experts to throw new light on movement to and from our country. Discover the connected lives and legends of Abraham Lincoln and Robert Burns. Explore Scotland’s relationship with New Zealand and Australia. Find out about Scottish soldiers’ contributions to campaigns around the world. www.scotlandsglobalimpact.com


For full details of all events in the Highland area, visit www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com 

2009: A Sinclair Odyssey

2009: A Sinclair Odyssey

This Caithness project is an innovative year-long community arts programme offering several hundred young people the opportunity to extend their knowledge and appreciation of their local heritage.
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Westering Home to Islay

Westering Home to Islay

During Homecoming Year, experience a celebration of Islay's rich culture and heritage through music, storytelling, ancestry and whisky distilling.
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Walkhighlands' Homecoming Self-Guided Walks

Walkhighlands' Homecoming Self-Guided Walks

Enjoy a series of self-guided walks especially devised for Homecoming 2009 and walk in the footsteps of your ancestors.
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Precious Cargo Exhibition

Precious Cargo Exhibition

Following the Homecoming Advent Calendar, Precious Cargo is a touring exhibition based on the theme of migration, boats and the sea...
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Highland Homecoming: a Return to Skye

Highland Homecoming: a Return to Skye

What do a Cheshire mill girl, one of Napoleon's Marshals and Flora Macdonald, the Jacobite heroine all have in common? They or their families all left Scotland, and they all returned...
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Be Near Me (Inverness)

Be Near Me (Inverness)

In an outstanding new adaptation, the National Theatre of Scotland brings Ayrshire novelist Andrew O'Hagan's gripping book Be Near Me to the stage.
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Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival

Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival

Join us in Homecoming year for the Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival, an international festival of country music.
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Roots and Boughs: Summer in the Straths

Roots and Boughs: Summer in the Straths

In 2009 Homecomers are invited by the communities of Mackay Country to explore its exceptional landscapes, beauty and history.
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James Thompson - Highlander in Quebec

James Thompson - Highlander in Quebec

This exhibition tells the story of James Thompson who left Tain in 1757 to join the newly raised 78th Frasers Highlanders.
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Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival

Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival

A series of walks and tours showcasing what Caithness and Sutherland has to offer to encourage Scots who have moved to other areas to return to their roots as well as inviting visitors to the area.
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Glenmorangie Distillery - Whisky Month extended tours & tutored tastings

Glenmorangie Distillery - Whisky Month extended tours & tutored tastings

Visit Glenmorangie Distillery on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout May.
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Ullapool Book Festival

Ullapool Book Festival

Ullapool Book Festival invites writers and poets to celebrate a variety of Gaelic, English and Scots literature during Homecoming year.
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The Drambuie Pursuit

The Drambuie Pursuit

Inspired by Bonnie Prince Charlie's flight from Culloden in 1746, The Drambuie Pursuit encapsulates a spirit of adventure and rebellion against the ordinary and the everyday in an adrenalin charged race across the Highlands of Scotland.
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Glenmorangie Whisky Weekends

Glenmorangie Whisky Weekends

Learn more about Glenmorangie Whisky Weekends taking place on May 8-9, May 15-16 and May 22-23.
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Just Add Water

Just Add Water

Feast your senses as you take the leisurely 3 hour cruise along the legendary Loch Ness and experience a unique whisky tasting event on board the Jacobite Queen.
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The Whisky Walk at Balmacara Country Day

The Whisky Walk at Balmacara Country Day

Join the highland smugglers hiding from the Excisemen and keep the secret of Scotlands stills and 'the water of life' safe.
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Culloden - From Battle to Exile

Culloden - From Battle to Exile

Culloden is the battlefield that intimately connects us with our ancestors.
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Homecoming Trad Music Sessions (Inverness)

Homecoming Trad Music Sessions (Inverness)

Over 300 Homecoming Trad Music Sessions will take place across the country throughout the year celebrating the contribution of traditional music to Scottish culture.
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Cape Wrath Challenge

Cape Wrath Challenge

The Cape Wrath Challenge could be regarded as the toughest Marathon in the UK.
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Whisky tasting with Dalwhinnie Distillery

Whisky tasting with Dalwhinnie Distillery

A unique opportunity for a whisky tasting presented by Dalwhinnie Distillery at VisitScotland's Visitor Centre in Aviemore.
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Westering Home: National Trust of Scotland Cruise

Westering Home: National Trust of Scotland Cruise

The National Trust for Scotland are organising a celebratory cruise around the western coast and islands of Scotland in the Year of Homecoming.
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Talisker Whisky Evening at Dunvegan Castle

Talisker Whisky Evening at Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle is hosting Talisker whisky tastings on 23 May 2009 at 7pm to celebrate Homecoming Scotland's Whisky Month.
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Homecoming 2009 - Clans, Customs and Claymores

Homecoming 2009 - Clans, Customs and Claymores

Take a 3 hour cruise on the flagship of our fleet, the Jacobite Queen, enjoying the majestic views of Loch Ness. The tour leaves at 2pm each Friday in June from Tomnahurich Bridge.
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Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup

Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup

The Mountain Bike World Cup welcomes competitors and spectators from many nations, including countries with strong Scottish links back to the land where the bike was invented.
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The Crossing

The Crossing

A Celebration of the Caledonian Canal to mark the Caledonian's historic innovative engineering, its contribution to Scottish history and its place in the story of the Scottish Enlightenment
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Wick Pipe Band 90th Anniversary Pipe Band Festival

Wick Pipe Band 90th Anniversary Pipe Band Festival

Pipe Band Festival to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Wick Pipe Band.
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Wick HarbourFest Homecoming 2009

Wick HarbourFest Homecoming 2009

HarbourFest Homecoming 2009 celebrates the maritime and cultural heritage of the herring industry of Caithness.
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Classic Malts Cruise

Classic Malts Cruise

The annual 'Classic Malts' Cruise attracts sailors from around the world to the famous scenery and distilleries of Scotland's West Coast.
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Masters World Championships at Inverness Highland Games

Masters World Championships at Inverness Highland Games

Join us at the Inverness Highland Games for one of the most spectacular Games ever staged in the Scottish Highlands.
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Blas an Fhasaich

Blas an Fhasaich

Taste of the Wilderness festival highlights the best of local Highland food production from croft, farm, moor, loch and sea.
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Failte Clann Macaonghais

Failte Clann Macaonghais

FAILTE - CLAN MACAONGHAIS - SEIRBHIS GHAIDHLIG (with English translation) will be conducted by Rev Dr Alexander Emsley Nimmo, Dean of Aberdeen and Orkney.
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Clan Cameron Gathering

Clan Cameron Gathering

From 30th July until 2nd August, 2009, the Clan Cameron are holding a Homecoming Gathering at Achnacarry Castle, Spean Bridge.
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Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Now in its sixth year, Belladrum is an eagerly anticipated landmark in the Scottish festival calendar.
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The Clan Ross Gathering

The Clan Ross Gathering

A Gathering of the Clan Ross is called on the 12th and 13th of August in the Year of Homecoming 2009.
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Thunder in the Glens

Thunder in the Glens

This is Scotland's premier Harley- Davidson motorcycle event of the year. 1000's of enthusiasts and visitors will converge on Aviemore for this annual pilgrimage to the Highlands.
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Cawdor Gathering

Cawdor Gathering

Family day of fun for all, opened by Lord & Lady Cawdor, including tug-o-war, pipers, afternoon teas, sumo wrestling, roll-a-dice, pony rides, face painting and much more??
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Homecoming 2009 - Canals, Roads and Bridges

Homecoming 2009 - Canals, Roads and Bridges

Who was Thomas Telford? How did this incredible Scottish engineer transform the Highlands of Scotland at the beginning of the 19th century? Take a relaxing 3 hour cruise on the flagship of our fleet, the Jacobite Queen.
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Blas Festival

Blas Festival

A warm welcome awaits you in the Highlands for the 2009 Blas Festival.
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Leaving Home: Migration to and from Scotland

Leaving Home: Migration to and from Scotland

Leaving Home is an exciting, interactive exploration of emigration and immigration...
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Tillidh Mi Dhachaidh - I Will Return Home

Tillidh Mi Dhachaidh - I Will Return Home

Tillidh Mi Dhachaidh - 'I Will Return Home' - an Arts project spanning three weeks in Autumn
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Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running

Run Home to Scotland in 2009 and take part in the Run Home Breakfast Run and the Run Home Clan Challenge
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World Porridge Making Championship

World Porridge Making Championship

The annual World Porridge Making Championship is followed with interest by connoisseurs of Scotland's traditional national dish across the globe.
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Highland Homecoming - Ur Beatha Dhan Dùthaich!

Highland Homecoming - Ur Beatha Dhan Dùthaich!

One of the highlights of the Highlands' contribution to the Homecoming Scotland celebrations takes the form of this fortnight-long series of events
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Scotland's Global Impact

Scotland's Global Impact

Scotland's Global Impact - how one small nation changed the world!, Buaidh Chruinneil na h-Alba - mar a dh'atharraich aon duthaich bheag an saoghal! is an international conference exploring and celebrating the way Scots have shaped countries and communities around the world.
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Soldiers from Montrose (Fraser Regiment) at the Highland Folk Museum

Soldiers from Montrose (Fraser Regiment) at the Highland Folk Museum

During the summer the Highland Folk Museum will host an exciting series of over 20 traditional activities and crafts.
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Sutherland Homecoming Bonspiel

Sutherland Homecoming Bonspiel

North Highland Curling Trust (NHCT) is organising the first Sutherland Homecoming Bonspiel on Monday 26th October as part of Homecoming 2009.
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Tam O'Shanter 2009 (Inverness)

Tam O'Shanter 2009 (Inverness)

Experience the best young Scottish talent bring Robert Burns' epic poem to life in a series of unforgettable live performances.
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Scotland V Ireland: Shinty/Hurling International

Scotland V Ireland: Shinty/Hurling International

The Scottish Hydro Electric Camanachd Cup is the premier event in the Shinty Calendar and is the most coveted piece of silverware in the sport.
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Tale o Tam (Highland)

Tale o Tam (Highland)

In this Year of Homecoming 2009, Scottish Opera is delighted to present a revival production of Tale o' Tam.
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Ceòl Nam Fèis 2009 | St Andrew's Fèis Homecoming

Ceòl Nam Fèis 2009 | St Andrew's Fèis Homecoming

A celebration of Gaelic culture with a host of former participants from the highly successful Fèis movement 'coming home'.
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