Tom Devine joins billing for Inverness Homecoming Conference

Scotland’s leading historian Professor Tom Devine has joined the billing for the Scotland’s Global Impact Conference, which takes place in Inverness from 22 to 24 October 2009.

The event unites the world’s leading historians of the Scottish Diaspora for three days of presentations, discussions and debate, all surrounding the impact this country has made on the world.

Professor Devine, who has published over 30 books including bestseller The Scottish Nation, is able to come following cancellation of a prior engagement. He will present his controversial paper Did Slavery Make Scotland Great? on Saturday 24 October.

Professor Devine, Director of the Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Edinburgh, the world’s only advanced research centre in the field, said: “The task of the research historian is to confront the evidence of the past, warts and all.

“This lecture tries to do just that by analysing one of the darkest themes in the extraordinary story of Scotland’s engagement with the Empire.”

Professor Devine joins an exciting day featuring many of the best known Scottish historians, including Dr Tony Pollard and Professor Jim Hunter. He will be followed by a conference round-up from Inverness-man Dr Ewen Cameron. 

Marie Christie, project Director at Homecoming Scotland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Devine to the conference and expect him to cause a stir with his presentation, which offers a new insight into Scotland’s past.

“Professor Devine is known around the world as a great historian and we expect day three to sell out following this announcement.”

Tickets for the Scotland’s Global Impact Conference are available from the Eden Court Box Office at www.eden-court.co.uk or 01463 234234.

The Scotland’s Global Impact Conference forms the centrepiece of Highland Homecoming, the region’s two week celebration of arts, culture and heritage.

To see the full conference programme and find out more about Highland Homecoming and the programme of events log on to www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com 

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Images available
Principal Partners: Homecoming Scotland, The Highland Council Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Major Partners: Scottish Arts Council, LEADER, EventScotland
In Kind Partner: Ashers’ Bakeries
Event Partners: UHI, University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, University of Glasgow

Homecoming Scotland 2009

1. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to 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.

2. 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, and Scotland’s culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland’s global family.

3. The budget for Homecoming is £5.5million and the target is for an 8 to 1 return on investment i.e. £44 million revenue additionality.

4. Homecoming Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country’s national tourism agency. Homecoming is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
5. For more information on Homecoming Scotland please visit: www.homecomingscotland2009.com  

Contact
Natalie Buxton on 01463 716739 or nbuxton@webershandwick.com