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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Homecoming year reaching climax | Homecoming year reaching climax |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Scotland's Homecoming festival, marking 250 years since Robert Burns' birth, is coming to an end with some 40 events ahead of St Andrew's Day on Monday. | Scotland's Homecoming festival, marking 250 years since Robert Burns' birth, is coming to an end with some 40 events ahead of St Andrew's Day on Monday. |
| Among them, a series of concerts celebrating Scottish pop, free family events and a sing-along of Auld Lang Syne in 100 different languages. | Among them, a series of concerts celebrating Scottish pop, free family events and a sing-along of Auld Lang Syne in 100 different languages. |
| However, a Clan Gathering in Edinburgh had to be bailed out by the city council after it lost money. | However, a Clan Gathering in Edinburgh had to be bailed out by the city council after it lost money. |
| The finale concert at the SECC in Glasgow has also been scaled down. | The finale concert at the SECC in Glasgow has also been scaled down. |
| This weekend will see First Minister Alex Salmond visiting the birthplace of Burns, as part of celebrations around the Homecoming finale and St Andrew's Day. | This weekend will see First Minister Alex Salmond visiting the birthplace of Burns, as part of celebrations around the Homecoming finale and St Andrew's Day. |
| He will reopen Burns' Cottage and open a new Education Pavilion in Alloway on Sunday following a £1m renovation. | He will reopen Burns' Cottage and open a new Education Pavilion in Alloway on Sunday following a £1m renovation. |
| The spectacular finale weekend, jam-packed with exciting events, will make this our biggest and best ever St Andrew's Day celebration Michael RussellCulture Minister | The spectacular finale weekend, jam-packed with exciting events, will make this our biggest and best ever St Andrew's Day celebration Michael RussellCulture Minister |
| Mr Salmond will then travel to Haddington in East Lothian, to attend The Saltire - a celebration of Scottish music and literature - where Dougie MacLean, Capercaillie's Karen Matheson, Fish and Phil Cunningham will perform at St Mary's Kirk. | Mr Salmond will then travel to Haddington in East Lothian, to attend The Saltire - a celebration of Scottish music and literature - where Dougie MacLean, Capercaillie's Karen Matheson, Fish and Phil Cunningham will perform at St Mary's Kirk. |
| Culture Minister Michael Russell will also be joining in the celebrations. | Culture Minister Michael Russell will also be joining in the celebrations. |
| He said: "St Andrew's Day is the perfect time to reflect on Scotland's contributions to the world - our culture, our heritage, our innovations and our people. | He said: "St Andrew's Day is the perfect time to reflect on Scotland's contributions to the world - our culture, our heritage, our innovations and our people. |
| "The Year of Homecoming has been a true celebration, inspiring people at home and abroad to experience all that is great about Scotland. | "The Year of Homecoming has been a true celebration, inspiring people at home and abroad to experience all that is great about Scotland. |
| "Early independent analysis indicates the project is well on track to beat its target of an extra £44m tourism revenue. | "Early independent analysis indicates the project is well on track to beat its target of an extra £44m tourism revenue. |
| "The spectacular finale weekend, jam-packed with exciting events, will make this our biggest and best ever St Andrew's Day celebration." | "The spectacular finale weekend, jam-packed with exciting events, will make this our biggest and best ever St Andrew's Day celebration." |
| Free attractions | Free attractions |
| As part of the St Andrew's Weekend, 47 Historic Scotland sites throughout the country, from Aberdour Castle in Fife to Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, will be free to the public. | As part of the St Andrew's Weekend, 47 Historic Scotland sites throughout the country, from Aberdour Castle in Fife to Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, will be free to the public. |
| Mr Russell said: "The challenge will be, how many can you fit into two days? | Mr Russell said: "The challenge will be, how many can you fit into two days? |
| "We know that people have seen it as a personal or family challenge in the past to see how many they can tick off. | "We know that people have seen it as a personal or family challenge in the past to see how many they can tick off. |
| "So, calling all Castle Baggers, Neolithic Hunters and Abbey Seekers , on your marks!" | "So, calling all Castle Baggers, Neolithic Hunters and Abbey Seekers , on your marks!" |
| Across the country, towns and cities are also marking the weekend. | Across the country, towns and cities are also marking the weekend. |
| Stirling celebrates the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009, by hosting a range of events while Dumfries is holding a Scottish Traditional Music Awards. | Stirling celebrates the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009, by hosting a range of events while Dumfries is holding a Scottish Traditional Music Awards. |
| And there will be a "Celebration of Dance" in Alloa, toasting Scotland's contemporary and traditional culture through Scottish Fusion Dance. | And there will be a "Celebration of Dance" in Alloa, toasting Scotland's contemporary and traditional culture through Scottish Fusion Dance. |
| Homecoming aims | Homecoming aims |
| Organisers said the Homecoming Festival had boosted the economy by at least £19.4m and an early report said the celebrations were on track to beat the target of raising £44m. | Organisers said the Homecoming Festival had boosted the economy by at least £19.4m and an early report said the celebrations were on track to beat the target of raising £44m. |
| The latest figures came in an early analysis of the programme, which looked at the revenue generated by 25 of the 112 events. | The latest figures came in an early analysis of the programme, which looked at the revenue generated by 25 of the 112 events. |
| However, organisers admitted that visitor numbers from the US dropped 20% in the homecoming year, but said this was better than the rest of the UK. | However, organisers admitted that visitor numbers from the US dropped 20% in the homecoming year, but said this was better than the rest of the UK. |
| One of Homecoming's main aims has been to engage with people living abroad who have Scottish links. | One of Homecoming's main aims has been to engage with people living abroad who have Scottish links. |
| Homecoming weekend: Things to do in Edinburgh, Fife and the east | Homecoming weekend: Things to do in Edinburgh, Fife and the east |
| Homecoming weekend: Things to do in Glasgow, Lanarkshire and the west | Homecoming weekend: Things to do in Glasgow, Lanarkshire and the west |
| Homecoming weekend: Things to do in the Highlands and Islands | Homecoming weekend: Things to do in the Highlands and Islands |
| Homecoming weekend: Things to do in the North East, Orkney and Shetland | Homecoming weekend: Things to do in the North East, Orkney and Shetland |
| Homecoming weekend: Things to do in the south of Scotland | Homecoming weekend: Things to do in the south of Scotland |
| Homecoming weekend: Things to do in Tayside and Central | Homecoming weekend: Things to do in Tayside and Central |