Drive to bring home Scots set to net country £40 million

Published on Wednesday 5 March 2008 20:54

A YEAR-LONG drive to attract "affinity Scots" to the country in 2009 is forecast to deliver a £40 million boost to the economy.

More than 100 events are expected to be held as part of the Homecoming Scotland initiative.

Just 5 million is being provided by the Scottish Government to fund programming and marketing, but organisers say they are confident the huge economic windfall will be delivered.

At least six "iconic" celebrations are envisaged, along with a major programme of themed events, all to be spread around the country.

Homecoming Scotland, organised to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, will see campaigns organised to bring "home" Scots who have moved abroad as well as those with Scottish ancestry.

Just two major events have been confirmed – a massive clan gathering in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park and a revival of the Outsider festival, near Aviemore.

However, EventScotland's chief executive, Paul Bush, insisted details of a string of other high-profile events are expected to be confirmed within the next month.

He revealed there had been huge demand for funding from event organisers, with more than 180 applications for a 1 million cash pot.

Mr Bush told The Scotsman: "There are five main pillars at the heart of Homecoming Scotland – Burns, golf, whisky, the Enlightenment and innovation – and these will obviously be reflected in the programme of events."