South Ayrshire Council
Tourism & Economic
Development
Newton House
30 Green St. Lane
AYR KA8 8BH

Tel: 01292 612966
Fax: 01292 613062

“HOMECOMING” TEAM SET TO BE BASED IN AYR

South Ayrshire Council is making preparations to become a major focus of the Scottish Government’s plans for the “2009 Year of Homecoming.”

The Scottish Government has decided that 2009, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns should be targeted, not just as a year of celebration of Burns but also as a year of homecoming for Scottish ex-pats, for those with Scottish roots and for those with an interest in Scotland.

In order to prepare for the year, a Homecoming Steering Group is being formed, with representation from major stakeholders, and with a Project Director and team of staff reporting to the Group.

The Scottish Government has now agreed to the Director and staff being based in South Ayrshire, and specifically Ayr, following South Ayrshire Council emphasising its strong Burns connections, and the already established “Burns and a’ That” festival.

The Council’s Policy and Resources Committee has now agreed to employ the staff – with all costs to be reimbursed by the Scottish Government – on the basis that they are selected by the Executive and/or the Homecoming Steering Group in consultation with the Council.

Explained Councillor Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council: “The ‘Homecoming’ event is intended to be a very prestigious one, bringing considerable international focus to Scotland and to Burns. There are a number of stakeholders who could legitimately claim that they should be the focus for such activities, including South Ayrshire, with our very strong Burns connections.

“I am pleased to say that the Executive agreed to the case being put that the project team should be based in South Ayrshire, and has advertised the Post of Project Director being based in Ayr. Relevant Council officers have now been asked to investigate accommodation options currently available.”

July 2005