As Scots around the world tucked into haggis, neeps and tatties on Saturday night it was revealed that a year-long celebration of Robert Burns's life is planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth.
Robert Burns 2009 will be a festival aimed at boosting tourism by capitalising on growing interest in the poet. It is hoped people with Scottish roots will be tempted to pencil in 2009 for a homecoming trip. But the year will also provide an opportunity for the tourist industry to tap into new markets. Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace indicated that festivities in the anniversary year would spill out beyond the traditional Burns Night season of late January. Another key month will be May when Ayrshire hosts a weekend of Burns-related revelry.
Admirers of the national poet's work can expect these events to take on a higher profile in 2009, while other national celebrations such as Celtic Connections and the Edinburgh Festivals will be encouraged to promote his contribution to the country. Wallace attended two Burns suppers in his Orkney constituency this weekend. He said Burns Night was an appropriate time to look ahead to the 250th anniversary of the Bard's birth in Alloway, Ayrshire.
'It will be a crucial year for us to promote historic, cultural, environmental and sporting heritage and allow overseas visitors to have a taste of modern Scotland with all the new opportunities now available,' he said.
The Bard brings more than £157 million a year into the country, according to Lesley Campbell, a World Bank economist. Burns-related tourism brings in £150m, two-thirds of which goes straight to Ayrshire where Burns lived.
Merchandising in souvenir shops and on the internet raises £5.5m.
Burns Night, the national celebration which took place yesterday, brings in even more cash. Spending in the Burns Supper season on such items as haggis, shortbread and other food adds up to £1.2m.
Another £300,000 comes from related expenditure, such as paying pipers and kilt hire. However, the extra whisky consumed at home and abroad raises only £270,000.
