Welcome to the Homecoming Scotland media centre. Here you'll find the latest news releases from the Homecoming Scotland team, as well as find contacts who can help with your enquiries.
The latest news on the Homecoming Scotland 2009 project, including releases from event organisers & other partners
To read the latest press releases from Homecoming Scotland partners and events, please click on the articles listed below:
The parade will hit the streets of Edinburgh on 28 November, climaxing with a stunning stage show in St Andrew Square Gardens.
Scottish school children unite in national blue and white to celebrate St Andrew's 'DO'.
Homecoming Year is set to finish in style
A programme of free St Andrew’s Eve events around Haddington, Sunday 29th November, as part of the Finale Celebrations.
A brand new outdoor spectacular for the 21st century that explores the myth and magic of Celtic folklore.
Free family-friendly fun to be had by all as part of the Finale Celebrations.
Acts revealed for Dundee's Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations.
Ross Ashton to Present Britain’s Largest Son et Lumière as part of the Homecoming Finale.
Sir Jackie is the final celebrity to be featured in the ‘Famous Scots’ exhibition held in the ScotlandsPeople Centre to mark Homecoming Scotland 2009.
Culture Minister Michael Russell today unveiled Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Day programme, a key part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations.
The ceremony will take place in Dumfries on November 28th as part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations.
For the first time in 25 years the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art will be re-hung during the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations.
The week, STV will broadcast The Greatest Scot, a celebratory search for the most important, influential and popular Scot of all time.
Caledonian Brewery announces sponsorship of Scotland Shinty team.
The event is part of the national five-day festival to ensure a successful send-off for the Year of Homecoming.
Kennedy will take centre stage as part of Ten Things That Changed the Highlands on 22nd October in Lewis.
For two weeks The Highlands will take centre stage in Scotland’s year of the Homecoming 2009.
Stirling presents...‘To See the Sky’ featuring the work of Iona Crawford with Frightened Rabbit, Errors and Phantom Band.
The festival has announced a special food and wine event A Taste of Scotland for their forthcoming Finale celebrations.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival, in its 20th anniversary year, is exploring ideas of Scottish diaspora.
Scotland’s leading historian has joined the billing for Scotland’s Global Impact Conference, 22 to 24 October 2009.
Hands up for Trad and their panel of industry judges are once again on the lookout for the very best in traditional music.
Macdonalds triumph over rivals to win Homecoming Clan Challenge.
Ayr United and West FM stars encourage people to Come Back to Ayrshire for the St. Andrews Homecoming Finale.
Fest‘n’Furious attracts an international audience after offering free tickets and accommodation to the person travelling the furthest to the event.
St Andrews Festival have announced an exciting line up of events and concerts in their 2009 programme.
Entry numbers for the Marathon in this Homecoming year are up by a massive 53%.
A famous Ross-shire storyteller is offering people the opportunity to travel back in time to the 1930s.
Michael Russell MSP is bringing culture directly to his audience, as part of Highland Homecoming.
Actress Tilda Swinton is the subject of the latest Famous Scots exhibition in the ScotlandsPeople Centre, Edinburgh.
More acts announced include Mike Scott, Eddi Reader, Evelyn Glennie & Philip Smith, Dougie MacLean and more...
The Blas Festival has enhanced its reputation as the fastest growing festival in the UK by showing an increase in ticket sales of 25 per cent.
Festival calls for local and international competitors to reveal behind the scenes action.
Learning and education on singing, musicianship and Gaelic is delivered to thousands of school pupils across the Highland region as part of Blas 2009.
One of Scotland’s major cultural festivals is set to return home to Oban as a highlight of the national Homecoming celebrations.
The vibrancy and passion of Scotland’s music scene will be celebrated at Homecoming Live –The Final Fling.
First Minister launches Caledonia whisky to celebrate Year of Homecoming and toasts success of Scotland’s smallest distillery.
From September 24-27, the cutting edge festival is features the best of Scottish art and entertainment.
A concert as part of Homecoming Scotland's finale celebrations.
Homecoming’s Taste of the Tattoo set for Dumfries House
Revealing more of their innovative programme under the Gathering Around badge, Cowalfest are bringing The Peatbog Faeries to Dunoon.
Belladrum has announced that all weekend and Saturday tickets to the event have sold out in advance.
Plans were unveiled today for the launch of IRN-BRU Can Clan – a phenomenal new clan for everyone who loves IRN-BRU.
Cowalfest has concluded arrangements with EventScotland to take over the funding package previously awarded to Dunoon and Cowal Marketing Group.
Spectacular street theatre, heart-rending storytelling, new musical compositions, stunning visuals and more...
It was a weekend of celebration uniting over 47,000 Scots, those with Scottish ancestry and those with a love of Scotland.
In celebration of Homecoming, a gigantic banner of one of Burns’s best-loved poems will be unveiled in Edinburgh’s city centre on Thursday 6 August.
A new exhibition by New Zealand artist John Edgar celebrating the theme of emigration will open at the National Museum of Scotland in August.
A bidder at Bonhams annual Made in Scotland Sale will have the opportunity to 'sponsor' Auld Lang Syne'.
Dumfries House, Cumnock will be the venue for an exclusive free performance of this summer’s Taste of the Tattoo on Thursday August 20th.
Families looking for great days out this July have a host of choices at historic attractions across Scotland.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival continues to lower its carbon footprint whilst remaining Scotland’s most eco-friendly event.
Festival patrons are being asked to support Homecoming by emailing e-cards to friends & family around the world, inviting them back for the Festival.
The Clan Convention will bring together in one location no less than one hundred of Scotland's Clan Chiefs for the first time in recorded history.
An eclectic and diverse programme to showcase some of the best Scottish work on the Fringe has been specially selected.
Tickets for the dress rehearsal for the centrepiece of The Gathering 2009 weekend have gone on sale today.
Expert porridge makers from far and wide will be heading for the Scottish Highland village of Carrbridge on Sunday October 11.
Oban will come alive with drama and history from 17 to 23 July 2009 when an innovative theatre production, The Hidden Jewel, is performed on the move
The World Pipe Band Championships has teamed up with one of Canada’s top bands to promote itself to fans of pipe bands in Ontario.
Hundreds of people will delve into their family histories and cultural heritage at an International Genealogy Festival in Glasgow in July.
The Royal Highland Show has just set a new attendance record over its four days with 176,522 people coming through the gates.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced the winners in the twelve competition categories for both feature and short films.
Scottish Storytelling Centre summer programme welcomes you home.
Scotland’s premier sound and light show, expect to sell out in Homecoming Year.
A sweeping, panoramic performance Diaspora layers music, video and live story telling to explore memory, migration, assimilation........
This year organisers have adopted a Homecoming theme to run alongside the traditional theme of the Wickerman movie
Common Ridings & Festivals will present a spectacular procession at the Royal Highland Show at 1.30pm, Sunday 28 June.
The taste, tartans and traditions of Scotland will be to the fore this week as the Royal Highland Show celebrates Homecoming.
On Thursday 18th June 09 at Glasgow’s City Halls the 2009 Burnsong International Song-writing Contest was launched by Patron Midge Ure OBE.
Nova Scotia based Sconestone.com is gaining momentum before being launched on its never ending journey of kindness.
See the work of Spark, one of the greatest Scottish novelists of modern times come to life during Homecoming Year.
The Gathering is bringing together some of the country’s finest musicians to record the soundtrack for Aisling’s Children; Tales of the Homecoming.
In celebration of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Torosay has planted over 1000 blue and white pansies in the shape of the iconic St Andrews cross.
Guided tours of all of Clackmannanshire's older kirkyards will take place from July until September as part of Meet Your Ancestors in Clackmannanshire
A joint international marketing campaign for The Royal Highland Show late last year and earlier this year looks like paying dividends.
Celebrate Homecoming year with the fastest team sport on the planet as teams from Canada, Edinburgh & Belfast contest the Gardiner Cup in Edinburgh.
Amateur bagpiper, Rob Calder, will busk his way across America to promote two Homecoming piping events.
The Gathering 2009 has unveiled its world-class line up and programme for what will be the family gathering of the year.
As part of Homecoming's programme of events in Clackmannanshire this summer, family history training sessions will be held in Alloa Library next week.
Ceolas has been honoured by the confirmation that Sr Margaret MacDonell from Nova Scotia will be attending the symposium on 12-15th July.
A new Tartan has been created to celebrate Return to the Ridings, a major Homecoming event taking place in the Scottish Borders.
Coca Cola Enterprises today joined the celebrations with the launch of a limited edition coke bottle, featuring an iconic image of Robert Burns.
Edradour, Scotland’s smallest distillery announced as major sponsor of Perthshire Amber – The Dougie MacLean Festival.
Programme of walks announced including Nordic Walking and Walking on Fire!
Return to the Ridings, Homecoming Scotland’s next major event, begins on Friday 5 June 2009.
The Alva Games will mark Homecoming year with a special overseas visitors welcome tent.
A celebrated exhibition which marks Scottish links with Québec and dating back nearly 250 years goes on show at this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival.
The full programme for Refugee Week Scotland 2009 has launched, with its biggest ever national line-up of events.
1300 children from Nairnshire's four primary schools and associated nurseries have contributed pieces to a 20ft by 6ft Homecoming tapestry.
Piping Live! and The World Pipe Band Championships are set to be bigger and more international than ever this year.
Refugee Week Scotland 09 is themed around Home as a partner event of the Year of Homecoming.
A limited edition bottle of Kilchoman Distillery’s first ever single malt was sold at auction for a staggering £5,400.
Scottish rock star comes home to the ScotlandsPeople Centre in Edinburgh.
This year’s Spring Fling will introduce visitors to artists who haven’t previously taken part in Scotland’s premiere art and craft open studios event.
Numbers currently show a 22% increase on last year’s figure.
Sir Sean Connery Leads an Array of Award Winning Stars to Edinburgh Film Festival's Year of Homecoming.
Final preparations are being made for the much hyped Spirit of the West festival that takes place in Inveraray this weekend.
British Waterways Scotland has announced full details of 'The Crossing', a unique 5-day flotilla event, celebrating the Caledonian Canal.
The Scottish Borders Common Ridings & Festivals are promoted through new Information Towers on the A1 and A68 Border Crossings.
Party at the Palace, takes place on 23 and 24 May and will be an extravaganza of entertainment and fun.
Edinburgh International Science Festival ended last week following one of the most successful years in its 21 year history.
Dram lovers will get a rare chance to sample some of the world’s finest whiskies this weekend.
On May 6th, Artistic Director Hannah McGill announced the full programme details for the 63rd edition of the EIFF.
Sheraton Grand Edinburgh offers 'Genealogy Concierge' Service in Celebration of The Gathering 2009.
Spencerfield Spirit is launching a limited edition Sheep Dip barrel pack to commemorate the Homecoming celebrations.
Burns Light has proved a shining example of what culture can do for a town, both economically and in terms of increasing pride and a sense of communit
Tickets for one of the UK's best loved festivals are set to go on sale from Friday 1st of May.
First Minister Alex Salmond today (1 May 2009) opened the £3m newly refurbished Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh
Somewhere in Scotland, a £10,000 gold & diamond mouse is buried, a love token hidden by Burns for his lover Clarinda.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has just published its annual ‘Distilleries to Visit’ guide.
Mackintosh 100, a programme to promote the legacy of Scottish born architect, artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh launched.
Free tickets are now available for this event, considering how Scotland and the estimated 40 million diaspora Scots worldwide can best work together..
Life-saving scientist digs up his roots at the ScotlandsPeople Centre in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s hottest new cheerleading team will lead the famous Hampden roar at Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-finals.
The Homecoming Scottish Cup Tour rolls into Falkirk as part of a national programme to engage with local communities and spread the word.
Read about Scottish farmer James Anderson who encouraged George Washington to open America's first rye whisky distillery.
The full line-up for the 38th Festival, which will take place from 21st to 31st May, has been announced and offers something for everyone.
Award-winning Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has announced Editors and Ocean Colour Scene as its headliners.
Much-anticipated exhibition 'Inspired', which features over 50 works by leading contemporary artists, opens at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow on Apri
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon sees massive increase in entries as May 1st deadline approaches.
Tattoo Announce Details of Additional Homecoming Performances
Jonathan Mills today announces the programme for the 63rd Edinburgh International Festival 09
Biking stars kick-off Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2009.
Scottish Hill Rally Club confirm the dates of their two electrifying Homecoming Scotland 2009 events.
Fantastic Early Bird discount announced for 'Scotland's Global Impact', one of the Homecoming signature events.
Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals will encourage visitors to Return to the Ridings with a special showcase
In 2009, you can play golf in the Home of Golf at bargain prices with the First in Fife Golfpass.
The Edinburgh International Science Festival has recently unveiled a packed programme of events
A new campaign has launched inviting those from Scotland and the world to share their love for the West Coast
Scotland’s Whisky Coast will present “Spirit of the West”, a spectacular weekend event on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2009 in Argyllshire.
Kelso Connections has announced a major new initiative to coincide with Homecoming Scotland 2009 and Return to the Ridings
Hebridean Celtic Festival announce final line-up of top local talent as well as quality international performers
Perth Polish Support Group collaborated with Marek Styczen to create a film celebrating their lives in the Fair City
Due to overwhelming popular demand, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will return to Australia for performances in 2010.
Resolution tabled in the US House of Representatives supporting the Year of Homecoming.
Scotland’s national mining museum has issued a worldwide invitation to the descendants of Scottish pit communities to come home to their roots in 2009
St Andrews Golf Tours and Macdonald Hotels & Resorts have announced details of a series of unique Golf & Sightseeing Tours.
Britain's most innovative outdoor festival returns to Rothiemurchus Estate, near Aviemore
In a first for Scotland, a unique celebration of Scotland’s famous national drink, Scotch Whisky, will take place this May.
FirstGroup, the UK’s largest transport operator, welcomed the First Minister on board to help promote Homecoming Scotland.
Jackie Kay, Al Kennedy and Bernard MacLaverty to Appear at this year's Ullapool Book Festival
Some of Scotland's leading music stars are to perform at Holyrood Park as part of The Gathering 2009.
The Gathering 2009 announces a prestigious one-off Highland Dance Championship
Rangers Football Club announce their Homecoming Scotland initiatives
Famous Scots explores the personal family history of six well-known Scots
Football favourites reveal their favourite Burns' works
Celebrate Burns With a Supper at Edinburgh, Stirling or Urquhart Castle
Dumfries really will be the “Sanghouse” of Scotland on the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
Top Scottish chef Nick Nairn has revealed his top recipes for the perfect Burns Supper.
Now in its 16th year, Celtic Connections continues to go from strength to strength.
Scottish comedian Rhona Cameron reveals an impressive list of performers for Europe’s biggest Comedy Festival.
Horsecross is kicking off 2009 with playwright and director Gerry Mulgrew’s fast and furious adaptation of the classic Robert Burns tale Tam O’Shanter
The 15th Scottish Borders Walking Festival will run from 5th – 13th September and will comprise a series of led walks in the Hawick and Jedburgh areas
Borderers from across the region are set to put pen to paper and invite their friends and family back to the Borders to ‘Return to the Ridings’.
Scotland's Global Impact: An international conference celebrating the impact and influence of Scots around the globe.
Major touring exhibition launched as part of Homecoming Celebrations
East Lothian gears up to the year of Homecoming with a specific Homecoming fund
Celtic Connections Additions to the Programme, Oct 08
Royal Highland Show Flies The Homecoming Flag In Canada
The world’s largest collection of whiskies arrived safely in Scotland this week, brought home from Brazil by Diageo.
Read on to find out the latest exciting news about this Homecoming Scotland 2009 event.
Homecoming Scotland has teamed up with The Famous Grouse to create the world's biggest ever Burns Supper celebration.
First Headliners Announced for 2009 Comedy Festival.
Dumfries will be centre stage for the opening weekend of Homecoming 2009 with Burns Light
Tickets for one of the signature events for Homecoming Scotland 2009 are now on sale.
The bagpipes are set to play a major part in the greatest international clan gathering and Highland Games being held in Edinburgh next year.