Welcome Message

First Minister, the Right Honourable Alex Salmond MP MSP.

Scotland’s year of Homecoming draws to a close at the end of November with a superb programme of finale celebrations throughout Scotland. 2009 has been an incredible year, which gave us the opportunity to welcome and unite many of Scotland’s friends from around the globe. Thanks are due to everyone who has taken part, supported or otherwise helped us to celebrate Homecoming and make it such a success. You can find out more about the highlights of the past year and some of the great events to look forward to in Scotland throughout 2010 in Homecoming Scotland 2009 Finale.

The Year of Homecoming has given the Scottish people an opportunity to reflect on the history of our nation and to look to the future. This has sparked a renewed worldwide interest in Scotland’s fascinating history and ancestry, and two major online projects, supported by the Scottish Government, have recently been launched: Scotland’s History Online and Scotland’s Places. These fantastic resources, their purpose, and the growing interest in Scottish history are discussed in A reawakening of Scottish history.

Homecoming began on the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns in January, and so it is appropriate that the programme will finish on St Andrew’s Day with the International Burnsong concert at the Scottish Parliament. Presented by Midge Ure, this showcase concert will feature the ten finalists of a competition to celebrate and keep alive the songwriting legacy of Burns through the search for new songwriting talent.

I extend a warm greeting to you in celebration of St Andrew’s Day, and hope that you can join Scotland in what will be the biggest party yet.