Burns Monument in revamp appeal

Edinburgh's Burns Monument is on Calton Hill

An appeal has been launched to raise funds for the restoration of the Burns Monument in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh World Heritage and Edinburgh City Council have pledged money but more is needed for the Burns Monument on Calton Hill.

The monument is one of the buildings that gave Edinburgh its famous nickname of Athens of the North.

Its intricate neo-Greek temple design reflects the ideas behind the Scottish Enlightenment.

The total cost of the project is expected to be about £350,000.

David McDonald, Edinburgh World Heritage projects manager, said: "The monument also sits in a position with a fantastic view of the city, and it would be good to open it up to the public, perhaps even as an outdoor venue for Fringe events."

I'm sure that this drive will encourage those who love Burns' work to contribute to the further development of this important monument to one of Scotland's greatest poets

Deirdre Brock
Edinburgh City Council

Deirdre Brock, Edinburgh City Council culture leader said: "Robert Burns' body of work is of enormous value to our nation and I am delighted that our investment in the Twelve Monuments project will help restore this stunning tribute to his legacy.

"I'm sure that this drive will encourage those who love Burns' work to contribute to the further development of this important monument to one of Scotland's greatest poets."

Jim Shields of the Robert Burns World Federation said: "We will be advising our members worldwide of the state of this beautiful monument and asking both individuals and clubs for any financial support they can give to this appeal.

"At a more local level, we will also be asking not just Burns Clubs, but all of the many organisations who hold Burns Suppers throughout Edinburgh and Lothians, to put their hands into their pockets to help save this beautiful monument."

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Homecoming Scotland 2014 - ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME

ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME First Minister, Alex Salmond celebrates Scotland at launch of ‘exceptional’ Homecoming 2014 programme An all-star concert to herald the opening of the Ryder Cup, a huge flotilla to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge, Europe’s biggest brass band festival and a thrilling re-enactment of the Battle of Bannockburn are just some of the spectacular events that will form Scotland’s 2014 Year of Homecoming, it was announced today. Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond officially unveiled the first phase of the year-long programme of events at Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, alongside Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland. VisitScotland and EventScotland are working in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver Homecoming 2014 - an opportunity for communities nationally and internationally to explore Scotland and celebrate the very best of Scottish culture. Around 100 events were unveiled at the launch, with hundreds more expected to be unveiled over the next few months. This includes many new events, established events which will have a new homecoming element for 2014 and those that have joined through the partner programme to benefit from in-kind marketing. The five themes for Homecoming 2014 - active, food and drink, creative, natural and ancestry are all represented. Brand new events include the John Muir Festival in East Lothian to herald the opening of the John Muir coast to coast route, the Forth Bridges Festival to mark its 50th anniversary, a spectacular Ryder Cup Opening Concert, the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival in Moray, the World Sheepdog Trials in Tain and the European Festival of Brass based in Perthshire. Many existing events, including Hogmanay, Edinburgh Festivals, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, the Edinburgh Mela Festival, the Royal National MOD, the Turriff Show, the East Neuk Festival, the Outdoor Orkney Festival and Tweedlove Bike Festival will receive funding for new and exciting Homecoming additions to their planned programmes for 2014. With around 50 million people around the world claiming Scottish heritage, diaspora and clan-related events form a key part of Homecoming. These include around 30 events, including the celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, the Aboyne Highland Games, the Inverness Highland Meeting 2014, the 10th Clan Munro International Gathering, the Dunfermline Bruce Festival and Piping Live!. An events fund of £3m will provide a stunning all-year-round programme of activity to complement the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games and it will be backed by a £1.75m marketing campaign by VisitScotland which will promote Homecoming 2014 at home and abroad.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND - VISIT SCOTLAND OFFICIAL ACCOMODATION TELEPHONE BOOKING NUMBERS.

Visit Scotland Contact Centre have set up two "Hotline", telephone numbers for booking accommodation for overseas visitors and U.K. based residents.
The Visit Scotland Contact Centre telephone numbers have been set-up especially for Homecoming Scotland 2009 overseas visitors and U.K. residents. These numbers are also for every day tourists to our beautiful Scotland wishing to find the best holiday accommodation guided by the Visit Scotland reputation.
The telephone numbers will inform the enquirer about all types of accommodation including costs, and can give general information on all aspects of anything Scottish.
Overseas visitors please telephone;
0044 1506 832121 which is a direct line.
U.K. residents please telephone local rate;
0845 2255121
http://www.visitscotland.com
For more general information to Homecoming Scotland events;
http://www.homecomingscotland2009blog.com/HOMECOMING_SCOTLAND_2009_EVENTS_PROGRAMME.htm
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