Great celebrations heading for home

Jan 27 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH and Kinross is gearing-up to celebrate the Year of Homecoming.

Details of a varied local line-up to support Homecoming Scotland will be outlined to members of the council’s Enterprise and Infrastructure committee tomorrow.

Homecoming is being flagged-up as a celebration of Scotland's heritage, culture and great contributions to the world.

The programme of events, festivals and activities kicked off over the weekend, with a Burns theme and culminates in St Andrew's Day on November 30.

The aim of Homecoming Scotland is to encourage people of Scottish descent, as well as anyone who loves Scotland, to come home this year and take part in the celebration.

In Perth and Kinross, a range of major events is being held to mark Homecoming. These include:

Scottish Tides Polish Spring at Perth Theatre and Concert Hall: A season of cultural events reflecting the common history of Scotland and Poland

Guildtown Bluegrass Music Festival 2009: Scotland's only 2009 Bluegrass music festival will extend a special welcome to international visitors journeying back to explore their roots

Perthshire Amber – The Dougie Maclean Festival 2009: Internationally renowned songwriter and composer Dougie Maclean has developed a unique festival which shares his music, celebrates the history and culture of Perthshire and showcases the beautiful scenery

The Etape Caledonia: The only closed road cycle event in the UK winds its way through 81 miles of stunning Scottish countryside

Johnnie Walker Championship: The tournament is played over the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course – the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup matches

Members of the committee will be asked to approve the programme of events, and also agree that officers progress arrangements for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), which will be a flagship Homecoming event for Perth and Kinross.

The area will stage the final round of the IRC in November.

Contested by many of the world's fastest rally drivers, the IRC sits immediately below the World Rally Championship and is for 2.0-litre Super2000 cars.

The proposals are for a three-day event with a ceremonial start in Perth, three legs, with two overnight halts and a finish.

Council officers are assisting event organisers to identify locations and venues for the various components of the event.

The event is expected to attract around 115,000 spectators, generating 3400 bed nights and a spectator spend of around £2.5m.

The total economic impact for the Perth and Kinross and Stirling areas is estimated at £10m.

There will also be significant international media coverage.

Enterprise and Infrastructure convener, Councillor John Kellas, said the local Homecoming Scotland events would attract visitors from all over the world, and also offer a huge variety of entertainment for local people.

“The line-up represents a fabulous mix that will appeal to a wide variety of people,” he said. “We are delighted to have secured the IRC, which will be a huge event bringing major benefits to the local economy. It will also showcase Perth and Kinross to an international audience.

“The range of musical, cultural and sporting offerings we are offering reinforces the credentials of Perth and Kinross as a great place to visit all year round.

“All of this means we can approach 2009 with confidence and ensure that the Perth and Kinross area plays a key role in the national celebrations. The Homecoming is important to everyone in Perth and Kinross because it will showcase the area as a tourism centre.”