Homecoming Scotland 2009
Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
A year-long, country-wide programme of events will celebrate some of Scotland’s greatest contributions to the world: Burns himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and the country’s rich culture and heritage. Whether you’re a Scot or you just love Scotland, 2009 will be a fantastic year to come home. Welcome! - all overseas visitors to Scotland, from USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Europe – in fact the world over. Trace your roots. Explore your Scottish ancestry!
The Homecoming Scotland celebrations formally kick off on the weekend of Robert Burns’ 250th anniversary – 24 – 25 January 2009 and run right through to St Andrews Day – 30th November 2009.
Have a look at our recommended hotels in Scotland below for visitors to Scotland for the 2009 Homecoming. Many hotels will be promoting Homecoming Scotland hotel deals, offers and packages and these will feature on this page as they become available.
- Find out more about Homecoming Scotland 2009
- Find out more about Ancestral Scotland
- Find out more about Homecoming Scotland events 2009
- Find our more about The Gathering 2009
View & book hotels supporting Homecoming Scotland 2009
Glasgow Pond Hotel
Alexander Thomson Hotel
Holiday Inn TheatrelandHomecoming Scotland 2009 hotel, tour & travel deals and packages
Many hotels throughout Scotland will be promoting special short breaks, hotel deals and packages during Homecoming Scotland 2009. Tour operators will be promoting ancestral, historical and homecoming tours too.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 Event Guide
Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. To help mark this anniversary, a year long celebration of Scottish culture will take place throughout the year. Homecoming Scotland is an initiative of the Scottish Government and is managed by Events Scotland. It is an effort to welcome back those who have left Scotland, or those who are of Scottish ancestry and have never visited the country.
Date: Throughout 2009.
Location: Various locations across Edinburgh
Description of the Event: There are over 100 events planned for this, including sport events, musical events, Burns events and the largest clan gathering ever held in Scotland.
Robert Burns: One of the 1st events that will be celebrated in 2009 will be on the Burns Anniversary weekend of the 24th January. 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.
Whiskey Month: May will also be Whiskey month, this will include a 3-day whiskey course in Fife and tasting whiskey at the Scotch Whiskey Experience in Edinburgh.
Below shows a break down of some of the events:
Homecoming Scotland Events In January 2009
Jan 24 - 25: Burns 250th Anniversary Weekend, across Scotland
Jan 24 - Feb 1: Celtic Connections Homecoming Celebrations, Glasgow
Jan 25: World Burns Night, Edinburgh
Homecoming Scotland Events In February 2009
Feb - April: Scottish Tides-Polish Spring,Perth
Homecoming Scotland Events In March 2009
Mar 6 - 14: Aye Write! The Bank of Scotland Book Festival, Glasgow
Mar 12-29: Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Glasgow
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
Homecoming Scotland Events In May 2009
May 1 - 4: Scottish Mining Mayfest, across Midlothian,
May 1 - 31: Whisky Month, across Scotland
May 13 - 17: Word 09 - University of Aberdeen Writers Festival, Aberdeen,
May 16 - 24: Burns an' a' That! 2009, across Ayrshire,
May 23 - 24: 2009 Heineken Cup Final, Edinburgh,
May 30 - 31: Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens, Edinburgh
Homecoming Scotland Events In June 2009
Jun 14 - 16: Forbes CEO Conference, Gleneagles, Perthshire,
Jun 25 - 28: Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, Edinburgh
Jun 17 - 28: Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh
June: World Fly Fishing Championships, across Stirlingshire & 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
Aug 14 - Sep 6: Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh
Aug 7 - 30: Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh
Aug 10 - 16: Piping Live! Music of the Clans, Glasgow
Aug 15 - 31: Scotland: Culture and Identity, Edinburgh
Aug 15: The World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow
Homecoming Scotland Events In September 2009
Sept 4 - 6: Brass in the Park Festival, Midlothian,
Sept 4 - 6: International Youth Tattoo, Perth
Homecoming Scotland Events In October 2009
Oct 15 - 31: Glasgow: The Beautiful Journey, GlasgowOct 30 - Nov 8: Perthshire Amber - The Dougie MacLean Festival 2009
Oct 30 - Nov 6: Whisky Week, across Scotland
Homecoming Scotland Events In November 2009
Nov 28: Illuminated Art Car Parade, Edinburgh
Nov 28: Homecoming Scotland's Finale Weekend, across Scotland
The Gathering 2009 Event
The Gathering 2009 is one of the signature events of Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year long government initiative aimed at encouraging those with a passion or connection with Scotland to come home.
Date: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2009
Location: Edinburgh
Description of the Event: 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.
Overview of the Activities taken place:
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 tickets which gives you the following:
- Entry to both days of Highland Games in Holyrood Park
- A place in the Clan Parade A seat on the castle esplanade for the Clan Pageant
