THE FAMOUS GROUSE GETS INTO THE SPIRIT OF BURNS FOR HOMECOMING 2009

Enter The Famous Toast competition for a chance to see your poem in print

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard, and to launch the fantastic year long programme of events, Homecoming Scotland has teamed up with The Famous Grouse, Scotland’s Favourite Whisky,  to create the world’s biggest ever Burns Supper celebration.

To kick off “The World Famous Burns Supper” campaign, we are running The Famous Toast competition. Budding poets are invited to pen a new toast for the 2009 celebrations paying homage to the tipple most associated with the Bard, Scotch Whisky.

The poems will be judged by an industry panel from the world of Whisky and Burns including John Ramsay, Master Blender of The Famous Grouse, Marie Christie, Director of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland, and representatives from the World Burns Federation.

The Famous Toast will receive its inaugural recital as part of the official Burns Supper in Alloway attended by the First Minister of Scotland on Saturday 24th January 2009. It will also be printed on the 250 bottles of a limited edition whisky, being created by The Famous Grouse, which will be auctioned off at some of the most prestigious Burns Suppers around the world.

Budding poets, who must be aged 18 or over will be able to submit their written poems online at www.scotsman.com/famoustoast. The competition will run from 29th September 2008 for three weeks, closing on 20th October, with the winner being announced on 31st October 2008.

Gerry O’Donnell, director, The Famous Grouse, said: “As Scotland’s favourite whisky, we are extremely proud of our Scottish heritage and are therefore very pleased to be taking part in Homecoming Scotland 2009. The Famous Toast is a great way to kick start the campaign – giving people the opportunity to celebrate two of our nation’s most popular contributions to the world – whisky and our national poet Robert Burns.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland, said: “Homecoming Scotland is delighted to be working with The Famous Grouse. The Famous Toast competition and The World Famous Burns Supper campaign will help to create Scotland’s biggest ever celebration of Robert Burns, raising interest in the Bard at home and around the world.

“Robert Burns is the inspiration for our national year of celebration, and the Homecoming Scotland programme contains a range of events and festivals that will celebrate the life and work of our national poet throughout 2009.”

If you would like to find out more about how to join in the Burns celebration in 2009 make sure you have registered at http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com to receive further details.

~ENDS~

Please enjoy our whisky responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR

About Homecoming Scotland 2009:

• Homecoming Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by EventScotland, the national events agency, in partnership with VisitScotland, the country's   national tourism agency. 
• Robert Burns is the inspiration for Homecoming Scotland as 2009 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet.
• As well as Robert Burns, Homecoming Scotland events are also celebrating some of the other great contributions Scotland has given the world – golf, whisky, great Scottish minds and innovations, and as the ancestral home to millions of people around the world.
• Homecoming Scotland will engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.

About The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 5 blended whisky worldwide.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand. The brand became so popular that on August 12th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse.
• The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today
• The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland. (www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience).

If you would like any further info or photography, please contact:
Katy Stollery, PR Manager, The Famous Grouse

Telephone: +44 1738 493 777 / Email: kstollery@edrington.co.uk

Mhairi De Luca / Katie de Courcy, The BIG Partnership

Telephone: 0131 555 5522 / Email: Mhairi.deluca@bigpartnership.co.uk / Katie.decourcy@bigpartnership.co.uk