Coming up in August...

HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS AT EDINBURGH’S PIPING LIVE! MUSIC OF THE CLANS

FESTIVALS Scotland’s capital city will mark Homecoming in style during the world famous summer festivals period in August. Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh Art Festival are all celebrating Homecoming with special activity ranging from Burns, The Scottish Enlightenment, heritage and cultural identity.

Hear the best in piping music from around the world in Glasgow. Discover your roots and perhaps even a love of piping both traditional and contemporary at the Music of the Clans - a special series of Homecoming events dedicated to Scottish heritage and piping. It will be a piping spectacular!

Aug 5 - Sept 6 Edinburgh Aug 10-16 George Square, Glasgow

TATTOO HEBRIDES 2009 TATÙ INNSE GALL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO: FREE ‘TASTE OF THE TATTOO PERFORMANCES

A two-day Hebridean Cèilidh! Enjoy the Lewis Highland Games and a spectacular military Tattoo performed by eight pipe bands including former World Champions the 78th Fraser Highlanders from Canada. A colourful carnival and a Grand Concert featuring Dougie MacLean, the 78th and Gaelic Choirs. In celebration of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming and for the first time in its history, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will also be going on tour to selected venues outside Edinburgh offering new audiences the opportunity to experience free, lunchtime 60 minute performances.

Aug 7-8 Across Stornoway Aug 11 March through Glasgow City Centre; Aug 13 Linlithgow Palace Peel

BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Now in its sixth year, Belladrum is an eagerly anticipated date in the Scottish festival calendar. This family-friendly weekend aims to unite Homecoming Highlanders in spectacular surroundings, as well as put on an eclectic line-up of music. 8000 pipes and drums, 200 bands, one world champion! Witness titanic battles between an international line-up of pipe bands challenging for the World championship with Highland dancing, Drum Major Competitions and European Highland Games, The Worlds is a day of vibrant colours, passionate music and intense competition.

Aug 7-8 Belladrum Estate, Beauly, Inverness Aug 15 Glasgow Green, Glasgow

With more than 300 events across Scotland to choose from throughout 2009, this is just a taste of some of the events that are taking part in the celebrations for Homecoming Year. For the full listing of events and to register for programme updates go to: homecomingscotland2009.com.