Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors during Homecoming Scotland 2014

During Homecoming Scotland 2014, tracing your Scottish family roots has never been easier. As part of the year-long programme of over 700 events there is a range of opportunities for Scots from across the country and around the world to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors.

From the commemorations of the 700^th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in Stirling to Who Do You Think You Are? Live in Glasgow, Scots are being encouraged to get a deeper insight into their family history by finding out first-hand the places their Scottish ancestors worked, lived and grew up in.

Here is a rundown of some Homecoming Scotland 2014 events that include the opportunity to either trace your roots, discover your family origin or simply get in touch with your Scottish heritage.

For more information on ancestral experiences in Scotland visit www.visitscotland.com.

Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Exhibition And Events Programme

March – November 2014

Various Venues, Scotland

A nationwide programme of events to welcome the magnificent Scottish Diaspora Tapestry, created over the last two years by volunteers in 25 countries around the world, depicting the experiences of migrant Scots over the centuries.  The completed Tapestry records stories from twenty-five different countries, spanning the centuries and reflecting the breadth and influence of Scotland’s diaspora legacy. Their combined stories will pay homage to the incredible determination and courage of Scots over the centuries.

The 200 embroidered panels are touring the country until the end of November. For the full events programme visit www.scottishdiasporatapestry.org/exhibitions

Innerpeffray Stories Exhibition

3 March – 31 October 2014

Innerpeffray Library And Chapel, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 3RF

Discover Scotland's oldest free, public lending library: a museum where you can literally touch the past. At a site steeped in history from Roman times to living memory, the Library offers visitors a hands-on, unforgettable experience of Scottish heritage. Is your family here? If so hold the book they borrowed.

For more information visit www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk

Hawick Sevens

19 April 2014

Mansfield Park, Mansfield Road, Hawick, Roxburghshire, TD9 8AW

The annual seven-a-side rugby tournament may not seem like the most obvious place to get in touch with your family heritage but the Hawick Heritage Club actually boasts one of the most advanced facilities in the UK for tracing your ancestry. Why not take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy some world class rugby whilst researching your family history.

For more information visit www.hawickrfc.co.uk

Bannockburn Live 2014

28-29 June 2014

Bannockburn Heritage Centre, Glasgow Road, Stirling, Central, FK7 0LJ

Bannockburn Live 2014 will immerse you in Scotland’s history and culture, commemorating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn and celebrating the best of Scottish folk music, food and drink.

The event is also set to be a family reunion like no other! Clans and families from around Scotland, the UK and the wider world will come together to mark this historic occasion. Each clan society and family represented at the event will have their own pavilion, where they will fly their family colours and hang their crests. Hear clan members talk of colourful histories and find out more about how you can get involved in modern clan societies.

There will also be the chance to take a step into your own past with the help of the Scotland People’s Centre, the official and unique genealogical resource for Scotland, who will be on hand at dedicated offering expert advice on the types of ancestral records available on their website and at the National Records of Scotland, as well as giving demonstrations and offering help to get you started researching your family history.

For more information visit http://battleofbannockburn.com/

10^th International Glan Munro Gathering

26–27 July 2014

Foulis Castle, Evanton, Dingwall, Ross-Shire, IV16 9UX

At this long established friendly event, enjoy historic Highland settings, the tartan, traditional and modern Scottish music, local food and drink, and an exciting programme of activities. Young or old, Munro or not, Scottish or not, you will love the show of tartan and traditional dress in the clan's ancient castle.

For more information visit www.clanmunro.org.uk

Routes to Your North East Roots

8 – 10 August 2014

National Trust for Scotland: Haddo House, Methlick, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 7EQ

“Routes to Your North East Roots” invites you to come home to your ancestral roots and the distinctive culture and heritage of the North East of Scotland. Over the course of the weekend there will be a family history and heritage fair with heritage organisations, museums, libraries, registrars and archives from across the region taking part. There will also be a lively programme of talks delivered by nationally and regionally recognised speakers taking place in the library of Haddo House.

For more information visit www.northeastscotlandroots.com/haddo2014/

Piping Live! 2014

11–17 August 2014

Glasgow

Join the world's biggest international piping festival, a celebration of pipers and traditional Scottish folk bands at a host of venues across Glasgow.

As well as celebrating piping and folk music at a myriad of venues across Glasgow, Piping Live! will also feature a new series of events, called Music of the Clans, for Homecoming Scotland 2014. Come down to the Homecoming Tent in Glasgow and discover your clan's heritage, music and traditions. With daily talks, exhibitions and demonstrations Music of the Clans is a great day out for the whole family.

For more information visit www.pipinglive.co.uk

Who Do You Think You Are? Live

29 – 31 August 2014

Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Exhibition Way, Glasgow, G3 8YW

Building on the success of the popular BBC series in which celebrities trace their family history, Who Do You Think Your Are? Live is coming to Scotland for the first time this year. Packed with genealogy experts, free workshops, a celebrity theatre and specialist exhibitors, the show will take place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow from 29 August –  31 August, 2014. Whether you're an expert researcher, or want to start uncovering your own family tree, this is the perfect starting point.

For more information visit www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com

Culloden Homecoming: A Celebration Of Highland Culture

6–7 September 2014

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor, Inverness, IV2 5EU

There are big things happening at Culloden on the 6th and 7th of September 2014. The Battlefield weekend will celebrate all that’s great about Highland culture from living history and Gaelic music to traditional dance.

Visit the ancestry tent and find out about your family history, wander through a Jacobite camp and discover what life was really like in the 18th Century. This is another great event for the entire family.

For more information visit www.nts.org.uk/Culloden

Highland Homecoming 2014

12 September – 18 October 2014

Inverness

As part of the Homecoming Scotland 2014 celebrations – Inverness will play host to a 6 week festival called Highland Homecoming. The opening weekend will see the Highland Clans Gathering in Inverness for an event called The Highland Meeting which it is hoped to make an annual event. The Highland Meeting will see the newly formed Association of Highland Clans get together to talk about their plans for 2015 and to participate in a torchlight procession on Friday 12th September through the streets of Inverness.

For more information visit www.clans2014.com/highland-homecoming-inverness-2014

Scotfest 2014

13 September 2014

Cochrane Park, Alva, Clackmannanshire, FK12 5LJ

Scotfest is a showcase of talent within food and drink, design and music from around Scotland. Set in the picturesque location of Alva, beneath the Ochil Hills, this popular annual event attracts over 5,000 visitors for scrumptious tastings, chef demonstrations, and the ever popular arts and craft marquee.

To celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2014, the festival will for the first time welcome Nova Scotia, featuring culinary talent from across the Atlantic, while celebrating the ancestral links between the two destinations. Festival visitors will also be invited to visit nearby Menstrie Castle, the birthplace of Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia. The museum offers a fascinating slice of Scottish-Canadian history and will host genealogy events throughout the day.

For more information visit www.visitscotland.com

ENDS

For more information please contact

Frances Allan

Assistant PR Executive

UK & Ireland Consumer PR

VisitScotland

0131 472 2370

Frances.allan@visitscotland.com