I would like to extend to you and members of your organisation a very warm invitation to join our year long Homecoming Scotland celebrations in Scotland in 2009.

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national poet and cultural icon Robert Burns, whose message of friendship and 'Auld Lang Syne' lives on.  And Burns is the inspiration behind our year long celebration of some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Golf, Whisky, The Enlightenment and Innovation, Burns himself and our rich culture and heritage. Whether you have Scots ancestry or simply a passion for o ur great nation, 2009 will be an exceptional year to visit Scotland.

A programme of inspirational events will run throughout 2009, complementing the vast range of world-class attractions already offered in Scotland to our guests.  From the world's biggest ever Clan Gathering in Edinburgh to Celtic Connections in Glasgow and from the Open Championship at Turnberry to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, there's something special for everyone.

I am sending this invitation to the worldwide network of organisations like yo urs who promote our nation's culture and heritage so successfully and further the interests of Scotland overseas.  And I'm sincerely grateful to you, as a leader of your organisation, for extending my Homecoming message to your membership network.  Simply click here to open a version of my email tailored for your members and then please copy & paste this web address www.homecomingscotland.com/jan08email into an email to your members; ideally before Burns Night, 25th Jan 2008.
 
I would also be grateful if you could help the Homecoming Scotland team at EventScotland in the following ways:
- please complete our short online survey about Homecoming Scotland (by 31st January) here 
- download the Homecoming Scotland 2009 logo here and please use in future communications with your members and externally
- create a link to www.homecomingscotland.com from your website
- allow us permission* to email you updates on Homecoming Scotland from time to time
 
The Homecoming Scotland team, in partnership with VisitScotland, will contact you by email over the next 18 months with updates on our exciting Homecoming programme and information on new and great value travel deals for travelling to and staying in Scotland during 2009.

My colleagues in the new Scottish Government and I look forward to welcoming you and your members to Scotland during 2009. Here's to Burns, his enduring legacy, his pride in our great nation and his inspiration for our Homecoming celebrations - for auld lang syne.

Yours for Scotland

Alex Salmond

First Minister