Homecoming Argyll and Bute 2009

[Kintyre Forum News]

Homecoming Argyll and Bute 2009

Argyll and Bute Council have awarded each of 36 local groups a share of £160,000 to promote events during the year of Homecoming Scotland 2009.

The awards, further boosted with European LEADER monies of £80,000 for 27 events and national Homecoming Event Scotland funding for a further three, put Argyll and Bute firmly at the forefront of the regional Homecoming Programme.

Councillor Dougie Philand, Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport said, “The quality of the applications was very high, and the excellent ideas and creativity behind the proposals make for an intriguing and exciting programme of events.

“Locally, we will be launching with the Oban Hogmanay Homecoming Street Party, and throughout the year there will be events which showcase Argyll and Bute, its culture and its people in all their diversity.

Councillor Philand continued, “However, the key aim of this initiative is an economic one. It is aimed at attracting people with Scottish connections from all over the world and boosting tourism and the local economy. The applications have been judged, not only on their artistic merit, but on their potential economic impact.

“I for one am looking forward to taking part in the wide range of activities that will be on offer, welcoming old friends and making new ones, as well as seeing the economic benefits I believe the programme can bring to Argyll and Bute.”

Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer with EventScotland said, "We are delighted to be working with Argyll and Bute Council and events organisers in the area who are showing tremendous support for the Homecoming celebrations. We look forward to a fantastic year in 2009."

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a Scottish Government Initiative aimed at attracting Scots, people of Scottish descent, and people who simply love Scotland to visit during 2009. It has been timed to mark the 250th anniversary of Scotland's national poet, the international cultural icon, Robert Burns and seeks to provide a spectacular programme of events based around Burns, whisky, golf, ancestry and Scottish innovations.

Local events granted funding:

Helensburgh and Lomond

Helensburgh and Lomond Homecoming – Friends of the Victoria Hall
Helensburgh Dorian Choir Music Concert
Helensburgh Bi-Centenary Pipe Band Championships and Highland Dancing
Rosneath Peninsula Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Rosneath Highland Games

Bute and Cowal

50th Anniversary of Burns in Lochgoilhead – Lochgoilhead Burns Club
Cowal Homecoming Ceilidh – Rotary Club of Dunoon
Isle of Bute Jazz Festival
Colintraive Village Heritage Exhibition – Colintraive Village Hall
Sandbank Homecoming Celebration – Sandbank Community Development Trust
Cowalfest – Cowal Walking Festival
Bute Island Time Bridge – Step up Project/Discover Bute Landscape Partnership Scheme
Isle of Bute Homecoming 2009 – Bute, Sons and Daughters
Open Studios Promoting Creative Industries in Cowal

Oban Lorn and the Isles

Homecoming Camanachd Cup Final 2009
The Hidden Jewel – MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust
Homecoming Lismore Week
Welcome to the Home of Gaelic – Royal National Mod – Local Committee
Oban Hogmanay Homecoming Event
Tobermory Miniature Concert Series – An Tobar
Music and Dance of the Highlands and Islands – Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival
Oban Food Festival – Oban and Lorn Tourism Association
Oban Whisky Experience – Paragraph Publishing Limited

Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands

Tarbert Seafood Festival – Tarbert Festivals Committee
Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival
Argyll Open Studio Event
Inveraray Bluebell Festival – Inveraray Marketing Group
Homecoming Kilmichael and Kilmartin – Kilmartin House Museum
Mull of Kintyre Pipe Band Competition
Westering Home – Iomairt Chille Chomain
Islay Jazz Festival
Tarbert Music festival
Homecoming Music – Cantilena on Islay
Gigha Music Festival

Throughout Argyll and Bute

Spirit of the West – Whisky Coast
‘In the Footsteps of Columba’ Ceilidh Trail – Feis Cheann Loch Goibhie
Westering Home – Mull Theatre

Notes to Editors:

Homecoming Scotland 2009

1. Homecoming is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland, the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country's national tourism agency.
2. The budget for Homecoming Scotland 2009 is £5 million and the target is for an 8 to 1 return on investment i.e £40 million revenue additionality

For further information on Homecoming Scotland www.homecomingscotland2009.com