Caledonia is calling you

Sir Sean Connery, Lulu, Chris Hoy, Sam Torrance and Amy MacDonald are just a few of the stars appearing in a new television advert encouraging anyone with a love of Scotland to take part in Homecoming Scotland celebrations in 2009.

Created by VisitScotland and EventScotland, the advert , launched today, shows the celebrities singing Dougie MacLean’s rousing Scottish anthem, Caledonia, in a variety of inspiring Scottish locations across Scotland including: Edinburgh Castle, Orkney’s Ring of Brodgar, Glasgow Science Centre and the home of the 2009 Open Golf Championship, Turnberry.

The advert is designed to invite Scots and anyone with a love of Scotland from all over the world to “come home” to enjoy more than 200 celebratory events that form the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme.

Launching the ad at Edinburgh’s Filmhouse today, songwriter Dougie MacLean said:
“It’s amazing that my wee homesick song has become such an iconic tune for lovers of Scotland all around the world. And I’m thrilled that Homecoming Scotland is using it as the call to Scots and anyone with a fondness for Scotland to come home in 2009. It will be a particularly special year for me in 2009, not only marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, but also the 30th anniversary of the Caledonia lyrics...and 35 years for me as a professional musician .”

Speaking about her involvement singer Lulu added: “Scotland lives in my heart no matter where I am. No matter where I travel I always feel at home when I bump into a Scot or meet a lover of Scotland. I hope VisitScotland’s Homecoming Scotland ad will encourage them all to join me in returning to one of the many great events that are part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme…Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home!”

Olympic champion Chris Hoy said: “I’m delighted to be part of VisitScotland Homecoming Scotland 2009 ad. After the honour of competing for Britain in the 2008 Olympics, I was overwhelmed when 50,000 people lined Edinburgh's Royal Mile to welcome me home. It was an amazing feeling. And I’m sure all those with a love of Scotland will get a warm welcome when they visit many of the events in Scotland in 2009.”

The advert will be broadcast in the ITV Scottish and Borders regions from Friday 28th November until Friday 5th December and is also available to be seen around the world on homecomingscotland2009.com/news/caledonia.html.

All the celebrities involved gave their time completely free of charge to support the making of the advert.

As well as appearing throughout Scotland, the advert will also be placed on websites and You Tube to encourage world-wide interest. More than 2500 Diaspora groups around the world will be sent links to send onto friends and family and 1 million people in over 10 countries will be reached through this major marketing effort. The advert will also feature in cinemas and event venues across Scotland and will be played again towards the end of January to coincide with the official launch of Homecoming and the Burns Weekend celebrations.