Alex Salmond announces plans for Homecoming sequel

A second year of cultural celebrations will be held to build on the financial success of Homecoming, it was announced today.

The 2014 events will coincide with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, as well as marking the 700th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn.

First Minister Alex Salmond unveiled the plan as new figures revealed last year's events brought in 53.7 million, exceeding the Scottish Government's 44 million target by 22%.

He said: "It's an opportunity, as an anniversary year, to focus Homecoming in 2014 and give us a further opportunity for Scotland to lead the world with high-class attractions. It's a fantastic year to celebrate our country in all of its aspects."

An independent evaluation of Homecoming by consultants EKOS found that last year's events attracted 72,000 extra visitors to Scotland.

The additional cash spent was 10 times the amount invested in the programme, which marked the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth.

Surveys showed that almost half of the visitors who were aware of Homecoming had family origins in Scotland.

Mr Salmond also launched a new digital archive, designed by Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, to "showcase" the 2009 events and try to increase interest in the next programme.

"We are delighted with the success of our initial year of Homecoming, we think there are tremendous opportunities for the future and we intend to build and capitalise on the extraordinary goodwill that's been generated as a result of the Homecoming experience," he said.

The decision to highlight Bannockburn, the scene of a historic victory in the wars of independence, will attract English visitors, Mr Salmond said.

"Scotland's cultural history is of huge attraction to tourists south of the border and tourists everywhere.

"Bannockburn is one of Scotland's greatest visitor attractions at the present moment."

Mr Salmond added: "The theme of 2014, or using the anniversary theme, will be a very strong point."

Tourism agency VisitScotland said visitor numbers grew by 2.9% and that the "Homecoming effect" helped the industry buck a 4% drop in international tourism numbers across the world.

Agency chairman Mike Cantlay said: "Homecoming came at a difficult time for Scottish tourism and helped to bring growth to the industry when we all feared a downturn.

"It showed the strength of everyone in tourism working together and the power of partnerships, from the smallest school and community group to every local authority and major festivals."

Tourism Minister Jim Mather will formally launch a year-long focus on Scottish food and drink tomorrow as part of wider plans for "themed" campaigns.