Published: Wednesday, 18th June, 2008 12:00
Major role for county in Homecoming year
By Bob Lovik
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Provost Derek Stewart is thrilled that the Wee County will play a major role in 2009.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
CLACKMANNANSHIRE is set to play a big role in Scotland’s first ever ‘Homecoming’ year in 2009.
Residents of the Wee County are being encouraged to play their part by inviting friends and relatives to visit in 2009 for the ‘Meet your ancestors in Clackmannanshire’ events.
The events will take place in Alloa, Alva and Tullibody from June – November next year with all designed to appeal to local residents and visitors interested in their ancestry. The events will include an art installation, drama and the Historic Kirkyards Trail.
Homecoming year has been inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish bard, Robert Burns.
Provost Derek Stewart is thrilled that the Wee County will be playing such a big role in 2009.
He said, “Clackmannanshire’s central location and transport links make it a great base for discovering Scotland, while the Homecoming year will build on our links with places as far afield as Nova Scotia and allow us to introduce yet more fans to our beautiful county.
“As Homecoming in 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, we’re expecting even more visitors than usual to trace his connection with Clackmannanshire, where Burns was ‘knighted’ and inspired to write his poetry.
“With our stunning hills, famous golf courses and historic connections with the whisky industry, Clackmannanshire really is ‘Scotland in miniature’.”
Festivals and events around Scotland have been designed to celebrate some of the country’s great contributions to the world including Robert Burns, whisky, golf, great Scottish minds and innovations and Scotland’s culture and heritage.
Susan Mills, museum and heritage officer for Clackmannanshire Council, said, “We have planned a special programme of events for visitors and the community.
“We’ll be encouraging local people to send postcards to their friends and relatives to ask them to come to Clackmannanshire.
“Everyone will be able to take part in a new Historic Kirkyards Trail to discover some of the county’s built heritage and the fascinating trade of gravestones and promenade performances that will bring to life some of the inhabitants who helped to shape Clackmannanshire.
“Art installations in an old kirkyard will help visitors to focus on the importance of family and ancestry and we’ll also show people from near and far how to investigate their family history in the area.”
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