The Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme is swelling by the week with Burns and Scottish culture themed events taking place from Shetland in the north to the Borders in the south.
As would be expected, the Highlands and Islands are staging their fair share of the 100 plus Homecoming Scotland 2009 events scheduled so far. To provide a flavour of what visitors from near and far can expect, here is a rundown of the events based specifically in the Highlands and Islands. In addition, there are a number of other happenings taking place on a Scotland-wide basis.
JANUARY 09
Jan 24 - 25: Official launch. Burns 250th Anniversary Weekend, across Scotland
MAY 09
May 1 - 10: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, across Speyside
May 9 -10: Culloden - From Battle to Exile, Inverness
May 17 - 23: Cape Wrath Challenge, Durness, Sutherland
JUNE 09
Jun 14 - 21: The Crossing, Caledonian Canal, Highlands
Jun 20 - 21: The Outsider, Aviemore
JULY 09
July 11 - 25: Classic Malts Cruise, Oban, Skye and Islay
July 17 - Aug 16: Art on the Map 2009, Outer Hebrides
July 17 - 23: The Hidden Jewel, Dunollie, Oban
July 18 - 19: Inverness Highland Games, Inverness
AUGUST 09
Aug 3 - 9: Creative Connections, Shetland
Aug 7 - 8: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Beauly
Aug 7 - 8: Tattoo Hebrides 2009 (Tatu Innse Gall), Stornoway
Aug 28 - 30: Connect, Inveraray
SEPTEMBER 09
Sept 4 - 12: Blas Festival - Celebrating the Highlands, across the Highlands
Sept 5: For A' That, Orkney
Sept 10 - 12: Conference on Emigration from the Outer Hebrides, across Isle of Harris
Sept 18 - 20: Isle of Barra Whisky Galore Festival, Isle of Barra
OCTOBER 09
Oct: Moray Birthplace of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Moray
Oct 4: Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, Loch Ness
Oct 9 - 17: The Royal National Mod, Oban
Oct 15 - 31: Highland Homecoming - Ur Beatha Dhan Duthaich!, across the Highlands
For the full programme including all the Scotland-wide events visit the Homecoming Scotland 2009 website. Or download the programme as a PDF document (right-click this link and select Save Target As to save direct to the desktop. The download is 5MB and may take some time to complete depending on the speed of your connection).
Meantime, with half the calendar year gone and the clock ticking down to 2009, there are several promotional ideas tourism businesses can try out to maximise the undoubted benefits that Homecoming Scotland 2009 will bring.
Among the suggestions being made by the organisers are spreading the word at home and abroad by sending an e-card, signing up to receive the Homecoming Scotland 2009 newsletter, and downloading their logo to incorporate into your own business website
