Homecoming 2009 advert features song of homesickness

WHILE sitting on a beach in northern France, the young Dougie MacLean wrote a song about his love for Scotland.

The lyrics to Caledonia proved so powerful that MacLean's friends started longing for their homeland.

Now 30 years on, a tune that he finished in just a few minutes has been given the ultimate accolade as the official rallying cry for Scots to return home in 2009 for the Homecoming celebrations.

Yesterday, in tribute to a song that has lasted a generation, Alex Salmond, the First Minister, launched a TV advert featuring Scottish singers, actors and sporting heroes performing lines from MacLean's work.

The £150,000 advert, made to promote the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns's birth, features ten famous Scots: actors Sir Sean Connery and Brian Cox, cycling star Chris Hoy and golfer Sam Torrance, musicians Lulu, Sandi Thom, Eddi Reader and Amy Macdonald, plus Kelly Brown and Thom Evans from the Scotland rugby team.

At a special screening at Edinburgh's Filmhouse cinema, the First Minister said: "Caledonia is a song that resonates with Scots the world over.

"For those far away it is a reminder of strong bonds, full of the promise of return. That is what makes it the perfect anthem for our year of Homecoming.

"I'm especially proud that we have a stellar line-up of Scottish talent who will deliver this invitation through this new television campaign."

Peter Lederer, the chairman of VisitScotland, said: "Caledonia is the one song that pulls at the heartstrings of Scots around the world.

"Every time a Scot hears it, they think of Scotland and what it means to them."

"We hope the advert and celebrations taking place next year inspire people in Scotland."

Caledonia was first released in 1979 on an album of the same name, and later came to prominence as the soundtrack to a Tennent's lager advert in 1990.

Since that time there have been repeated calls to use the song as Scotland's national anthem.

The advert will be shown on the BBC and STV and in cinemas throughout Scotland. It will then be available online at YouTube and will be sent to one million people around the globe via internet groups linked to the Scottish diaspora.

Mr Salmond said: "This campaign is a victory for optimism. We have got to get away from negative perceptions of Scotland and with Homecoming we are hoping to mobilise five million plus Scots and make them feel proud."

The Homecoming budget is £5 million, although all the celebrities appeared in the advert for free. They were filmed in a studio but appear in front of famous Scottish backdrops ranging from Edinburgh Castle to Far Beach, aimed at enticing Scots back home.

Dougie MacLean said: "It's amazing that my wee homesick song has become such an iconic tune for lovers of Scotland all around the world. And I'm thrilled that Homecoming Scotland is using it as the call to Scots and anyone with a fondness for Scotland to come home in 2009."

There are currently no plans to show the advert on English television.

Helen Campbell, the group marketing manager of VisitScotland, said: "It is important to see how the public respond to the advert.

"Then maybe we will look at broadcasting it in England."

IN QUOTES

ALEX SALMOND: "Caledonia is a song that resonates with Scots the world over."

DOUGIE MACLEAN: "It's amazing that my wee homesick song has become such an iconic tune for lovers of Scotland."

AMY MACDONALD: "I hope the ad inspires people all over the world to come to Scotland."

LULU: "Scotland lives in my heart. No matter where I travel, I always feel at home when I bump into a Scot."