A YEAR-LONG celebration of Scotland's culture and heritage has been given a £5 million funding boost.
Jim Mather, the tourism minister, announced the Scottish Government cash support as he urged everyone north of the Border to play their part in making Homecoming Scotland a success in 2009.
Marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Bur
ns, the initiative aims to persuade Scots and people of Scottish descent to come to visit the country during the year.
A string of flagship events are envisaged across the country and funding will be made available to local authorities and event organisers.
EventScotland and VisitScotland jointly have the task of co-ordinating the initiative, which will include a series of specially-commissioned events across the country.
A £1 million fund, offering grants of between £5,000 and £50,000, is already open for applications from groups and organisations.
And plans have been unveiled for a massive clan gathering - featuring the world's biggest Highland Games - in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park.
Mr Mather said: "The general idea is to invite people home, whether they are in London or the other side of the world.
"Nothing like this has ever really been done before, but it really does have huge potential for our tourism industry and there's no limit on the kind of benefit it could bring."
The full article contains 230 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
