Homecoming Scotland 2009

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Photo: homecoming scotland. Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Scotland?s national poet, Rabbie Burns with a year long programme of events celebrating throughout the country. Celebrations will include: A Celebration of Burns' 250th Anniversary, Whisky - the national drink, sport, particularly golf, music, culture and Scottish heritage. It will also celebrate Great Minds and Innovations, through from the 18th century Enlightenment until present day.

The event is aimed at both people who come from Scotland and those with affection for the country and its culture. Homecoming Scotland will make 2009 a great time to pay a visit and many visitors are expected from America, Canada, Australia, Europe and all parts of the world.

Celebrations will kick off on the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns, weekend of 24th - 25th January and continue throughout the year until St Andrew's Day on 30th November, 2009.

There are hundreds of events organised throughout the country and many more local will take place throughout the year in support of Homecoming Scotland.

Event Guide

Homecoming Burns' Supper

The official Homecoming Scotland Burns Supper will take place in Ayrshire, Robert Burns birthplace. Starting this weekend will also be Celtic Connections, various musical events that will take place in Glasgow to celebrate new and upcoming Scottish musicians.

The Gathering 2009

The Gathering is another major event of the Homecoming. This includes, Highland Games, Parade along the Royal Mile to the castle and a Clan pageant.

Sporting Events

Sporting events include the British Open to be held in Turnberry in July and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge to be held in November.

Whisky Month

Due to take place in May, this will include a 3-day whisky course in Fife and whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh. Watch out for the participation of local distillieries.

Homecoming Scotland Events In January 2009

  • January 24 - 25: Burns 250th Anniversary Weekend, across Scotland
  • January 24 - Feb 1: Celtic Connections Homecoming Celebrations, Glasgow
  • January 25: World Burns Night, Edinburgh
  • Mitchell Library and Calderglen Country Park Visitor Centre - Burns an' his Land - poetry, interpretation and live musical interlude Free.

Homecoming Scotland Events In February 2009

February - April: Scottish Tides-Polish Spring, Perth with 400 years of interwoven culture - theatre and music.
further details www.horsecross.co.uk

Homecoming Scotland Events In March 2009

Homecoming Scotland Events In April 2009

  • April - Jun: Homecoming - The John Muir Odyssey, throughout East
  • Lothian,] April - Jun: Etape Caledonia, throughout Perth & Kinross,
  • April 6-18: Edinburgh International Science Festival, Edinburgh
  • 25th April - Spring Concert at Linlithgow with Malinky.
  • Homecoming Scotland Events In May 2009

    Homecoming Scotland Events In June 2009

    • Celebrating Homecoming - New Courses at Department of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Glasgow
    • June 14 - 16: Forbes CEO Conference, Gleneagles, Perthshire,
    • June 25 - 28: Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, Edinburgh
    • June 17 - 28: Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh
    • June: World Fly Fishing Championships, across Stirlingshire and Perthshire

    Homecoming Scotland Events In July 2009

    • July 16 - 19: The Open Championship, Turnberry
    • July 18 - Aug 3: North East Clan Fortnight, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
    • July 21 - 24: International Genealogy Festival & Conference, University of Strathclyde
    • July 25 - 26: The Gathering 2009, Edinburgh
    • July 31 - Aug 3: Guildtown Bluegrass Music Festival 2009, Perthshire

    Homecoming Scotland Events In August 2009

    • August: Johnnie Walker Championship Gleneagles, Perthshire
    • August 14 - Sep 6: Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh
    • August 7 - 30: Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh
    • August 10 - 16: Piping Live! Music of the Clans, Glasgow
    • August 15 - 31: Scotland: Culture and Identity, Edinburgh
    • August 15: The World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Green. More information

    Homecoming Scotland Events In September 2009

    Homecoming Scotland Events In October 2009

    • October 15 - 31: Glasgow: The Beautiful Journey, Glasgow
    • October 30 - November Whisky Week with Whisky Live Glasgow as the hub of a week-long celebration of Scotch whisky attracting visitors from throughout the world. During the week there will be seven whisky dinners throughout the country with visitors to each able to enjoy an extended stay in the whisky producing regions. More information

    Homecoming Scotland Events In November 2009

    • November 28: Illuminated Art Car Parade, Edinburgh
    • November - Friday 27th until Monday 30th - Homecoming Scotland's Finale Weekend, across Scotland incorporating St Andrew's Day Celebrations. There will be a range of events across the length and breadth of the country. From Homecoming Live,Scotland's biggest ever celebration of Scottish Music at the SECC in Glasgow to the popular Scots Trad Music Awards in Dumfries, to the wide variety of music at St Andrews Festival 2009. More informationa

    Photo: saltire. The Gathering 2009

    25th and 26th July

    The Gathering is set to be one of the largest clan gatherings in history. It takes place over two days. Holyrood Park will host a two day event ? The Highland Games. On the Saturday evening, Clan members will parade up the historic Royal Mile and take their seats on the castle esplanade for a Clan Pageant. The Clan Gathering and Highland Games is to celebrate Scotland?s rich history and cultural traditions.

    Activities

    Highland Games: The Highland Games is known as the Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship 2009 and will take place in Holyrood Park. It involves the top 10 ? 12 leading ?heavies? competing in 8 core disciplines (tossing the caber. putting the stone, throwing the hammer, throwing the weight for height and throwing the weight for distance).

    Clan Parade: The parade will take place from Royal Palace of Holyrood (Royal Mile) up to the Edinburgh Castle esplanade ? a distance of 1 mile and 107 yards. The parade will be divided into sections with each section being led by a pipe band. Clan?s people will parade in alphabetical order and will be preceded by their chiefs and commanders with the clan banners. There will be approximately 8,000 clans marching.

    Clan Pageant: Taking place at Edinburgh Castle, the clan pageant will involve pipers, massed bands and highland dancers will trace the history of the development of the clans through the ages.

    Other Activities: Other activities and shows include Highland Dancing, a Hill Race (Sunday at Holyrood Park), Flavour of Scotland (offering a range of Scottish dishes), live Piping and also live Scottish music. Tickets: There are two types of ticket available for the Gathering 2009.

    Highland Games tickets gives access to all events taking place in Holyrood Park. 1 and 2 day tickets available.

    The Gathering 2009 Passport is an all inclusive ticket, which gives you: Entry to both days of Highland Games in Holyrood Park and a place in the Clan Parade plus a seat on the castle esplanade for the Clan Pageant. Passports now on sale More information about The Gathering

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