Homecoming Scotland 2009

[ThistleDown]

They don't seem to want the Clan societies either. My clan society had planned to bring a large contingent over from the USA for the gathering but they are now planning to tour Ireland instead.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 got off to a good start with the Burns 250 events in Dumfries which some of us attended, and similar events also took place the same weekend in Ayr and Glasgow. There is an interesting programme of events planned for all over Scotland throughout the year but so far it looks like this so-called gathering in Edinburgh might not shape up to be the big event which the initial hype had suggested.

I had a lovely dinner and evening a couple of weeks ago with Philip Riddel, CE of Visit Scotland. From this and two other pretty obvious connections, has come the following:

(a) there is a very limited budget for publicity, so most of what there is is being spent outwith Scotland. The Scottish press has been invited to write it up, but they are suspicious of the commercial content;

(b) there are about 300 events all over Scotland tied to Homecoming Scotland 2009, but there are many more that have declined to participate because their own focus would alter through Homecoming's commercial intent (much more on that, if you want it);

(c) clan societies have been invited to rent a tent, a small table and 4 chairs for two days in Edinburgh, at GBP200 (volunteers for the tent have to pay their own way at GBP15);

(d) clan chiefs have been drawn oot the closet and dusted off once again. The societies claiming to be clans, but without acknowledged chiefs or commanders, are 'way out there in the field -- somewhere about Cape Wrath, I susect;

Alex, I'm not sure about this, but if you've no a chief are ye really clan legitimate? (ah please don't hit on me for that its just a private joke for those who understand ).

The event will be a success in these tough times largely because it is a commercial tourism-driven venture with public money injected. For those of us who can be there, let's find a venue and have a good time meeting and greeting each other.

I'm at the Clan Chattan tent both days (we've paid the way). And I have a designated driver both nights. Surely we can find a way....

Oh, and Mael, that would be just plain Lord Semple, not Sir Semple, if you wouldn't mind .

[Jock Scot]

That's just great, spend "our" money, invite the rest of the world and don't tell us. Well I hope you all have a great time and no doubt us locals will benifit(?) in the long term from any money generated from this investing(?) of public money,Scots money! For me, I will go fishing. As to the rest of Scotland no doubt most of them will miss these events in blissful ignorance as, it seems, our "leaders" intend.

[beowulf67]

That's just great, spend "our" money, invite the rest of the world and don't tell us. Well I hope you all have a great time and no doubt us locals will benifit(?) in the long term from any money generated from this investing(?) of public money,Scots money! For me, I will go fishing. As to the rest of Scotland no doubt most of them will miss these events in blissful ignorance as, it seems, our "leaders" intend.

Is the fishing good that time of year?

I'm going for the Gathering and yes I realize it's basically designed as a large tourist trap.
BUT (didn't see that coming did you) It was the impetus to get me off my duff and on a plane to Scotland. I'm going to be there for two weeks and will only be spending a few days in the dark, boiling cauldron of commercialism that will be Edinburgh on Gathering weekend.
I'll also be spending a week in the highlands sightseeing and spending cold, hard cash and doing my part to stimulate the local economy. I'll also be spending some time in Dumfries and the surrounding areas.

I plan to spend at least half of my vacation money on whisky and women. The other half I'll probably just waste.

Oh and I hope I get to meet up with any and all Xmarkers that are going to be around.