ENTHUSIASM FOR Homecoming Scotland 2009 has led to a doubling in the size of its programme of events.

A new guide has been published listing twice the number of events as the original programme launched in June, last year.

The celebration of Scotland which encourages expatriates to visit their homeland will see events take place across the country from Burns Night later this month to St Andrews Day in November.

Fife plays a major role in the festivities and among the events listed are the Come Home to Museums in Fife campaign throughout the year, the StAnza poetry festival in March, the Carnegie Festival in August and September and the St Andrews Festival in November.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Dunfermline Heritage trust has organised two Burns celebration evenings.

The Long Gallery in the town’s heritage centre, Abbot House, will be the venue for two musical evenings with Alastair MacDonald on January 15 and 16.

Homecoming Scotland 2009, a Scottish Government initiative, has several themes, including Burns, whisky, golf, great Scottish minds and innovations, ancestry, culture and heritage.

Chairman of Fife Council’s housing and communities committee Councillor Brian Goodall said, “Fife Council is proud to be supporting Homecoming 2009.

“We are encouraging all Fifers wherever they may be to think now about this initiative and come home to visit Fife.

“There is so much to see and do in Fife, from Dunfermline’s historic buildings and the idyllic fishing villages of the East Neuk to the vibrant music scene and nightlife of our larger towns.

“When you add to this the home of golf in St Andrews and the many special events and festivals being planned for 2009 there will never be a better time to visit the kingdom.”

With the local authority’s genealogy service recently expanded, he also pointed out it was an ideal opportunity for people wanting to trace their Fife roots.

Homecoming Scotland 2009 project director Marie Christie said that since it was launched last June work had been taking place with various bodies to produce the most comprehensive programme possible.

She said, “Every region of Scotland is involved and hundreds of individuals and organisations across the country are working hard to make 2009 a special year for Scotland.”