Highland’s Homecoming takes to the road with Travelling Tales

A famous Ross-shire storyteller is offering people the opportunity to travel back in time to the 1930s.
Hailed as one of the last traditional Highland storytellers Alec John Williamson will take passengers on a guided tour from Strathpeffer to Ullapool on the 19 and 31st of October.

Travelling Tales is part of the Highland Homecoming celebrations, which includes over 100 events between 19 and 31 October 2009.

Alec was born in a tent near Edderton in 1932 into a Gaelic speaking traveller family. He said: “Each spring we took to the road with horse & cart, finding work in crofting communities of Western Ross and Skye, where we were the bearers of news, traditional skills and entertainment.”

The tour will follow one of these trails, stopping at old campsites to hear Alec’s stories firsthand.
Marie Christie Project Director at Homecoming Scotland, said: “Highland Homecoming promises to be one of the highlights of Scotland’s Homecoming celebrations. There are many fascinating elements to the two-week programme of events and we are delighted local storyteller Alec John Williamson will be sharing his experiences of the region through this unique storytelling journey.”

The tours will be departing from Strathpeffer from Monday 19th and Saturday 31st of October at 12 noon.

Tickets are £10 each. For more information or to book your ticket contact Eden Court at http://www.eden-court.co.uk.

To 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
Roisin-Alana Di Giacomo on 01463 716739 Rdigiacomo@webershandwick.com