Scotland Year Of Homecoming 2014 Impact Revealed

More than two million people attended the year-long series of Homecoming events across Scotland last year, according to tourism leaders.

Events such as Bannockburn Live, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Glasgow Film Festival were held in the Homecoming 2014 programme, which was set up to celebrate Scottish food and drink, culture and ancestral heritage.

In total, there were 1,049 festivals, exhibitions and performances held for Homecoming 2014.

Along with the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and MTV Awards, it helped make the first half of last year the strongest start to a year for inbound tourism to Scotland since 2008.

Tourism minister Fergus Ewing said: Homecoming has been a huge success, bringing millions together in a joint celebration of all that is great about our country and showcasing all of our unique attractions and icons to a massive worldwide audience.

In 2014, building on the momentum created by the success of previous themed years, we have seen a record-breaking number of events and attractions right across the country joining the Homecoming celebration, extending the benefits of the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup across the whole year and boosting the tourism and wider economy.

The eyes of the world have been on Scotland like never before in 2014 and working together we will benefit from these experiences as we begin the Year of Food and Drink in 2015 and beyond.''

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list, said: There really was no place like home for the people of Scotland during 2014.

Scotland enjoyed a breathtaking programme of more than 1,000 events in this incredible Homecoming year, touching every single corner of the country.

I am unaware of any other country in the world our size which has delivered events on such a scale and with such prowess.''