The year 2009 will be one when everyone who lives in Scotland, and everyone who is part of Scotland's extended family, are invited to join in national celebrations.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the National Bard and and international cultural icon Robert Burns whose message of friendship and 'Auld Lang Syne' lives on.
2009 will be a celebration of not only Burns but some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns, Golf, Whisky, The Enlightenment and innovation, as well as a rich culture and heritage which lives on at home and through the many people of Scots descent who live elsewhere.
The Homecoming Scotland programme will involve a calendar of exciting and inspirational events and activities throughout 2009.
So whether you are Scottish or simply love Scotland, you are invited to come home - home to the land of your ancestors so you can experience a living culture.
Find out more at Homecoming Scotland 2009
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£1 million funding programme
Homecoming Scotland launched a funding programme to help organisations stage events to support the year-long celebration of Scotland's culture and heritage.
Tourism Minister Jim Mather said:
"Homecoming Scotland is an exciting, compelling initiative designed to kindle pride in Scots at home and in the many millions of people overseas who are of Scottish descent or who simply love Scotland.
"This is the first time that we as a nation have invited Scotland's global family to come home and it is a wonderful opportunity for us all to use our connections, to spread the message and invite our extended families home in 2009.
"This year-long celebration will benefit our country in terms of additional tourism, which will contribute to our economy. But it's also an outstanding opportunity to reconnect with the Scottish Diaspora around the world and provide impetus for them to visit their homeland."
Organisations can access grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 to enhance existing events or create new ones that reflect the Homecoming Scotland themes and objectives.