Homecoming Scotland 2009 is Scotland's invitation to the world - our call to people from around the world with ancestral links or an affinity with Scotland to come home and pay us a visit. Timed for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, the country-wide programme of exciting and inspiring events and activities will celebrate some of Scotland's greatest contributions to the world: Burns himself, whisky, golf, great Scottish minds and innovations, and our rich culture and heritage. Events include the world's biggest clan gathering.

This "biggest ever celebration of Scotland's achievements and culture" was launched this week by Scotland's First Minister. Anyone interested in helping to promote Homecoming Scotland 2009 to friends or family around the world can send them an official e-card through the Homecoming website which also has a full list of all the major events. So spread the word and help to make 2009 a truly unforgettable year of Scottish celebration. We hope the programme inspires you. The e-card is available at www.homecomingscotland2009.com/ecard .

Our own features this month start with a Burns theme. The aims of the Burns Humanitarian Award - now in its seventh year - are, like the man's poetry, simple and direct: to recognise the work of people who have put helping others above all other concerns. Our feature will tell you more about this year's winner, a South African - born surgeon and about some past winners whose deeds, sometimes, have been little recognised elsewhere. And if you want to see Burns himself come to life, just visit http://www.scotland.org/burns-night/interactive/ .

Great Britain is an island, but Scotland has the rampant lion's share of the coastline. The sea laps a remarkable 10,000 kms around our shores - and that doesn't include the lochs and open waterways that crisscross the country. It's hardly surprising then, that water remains important to the nation. But these days, the focus is on sport, rather than commerce. Whether in the pool, on the river or out at sea, in this Olympic Year it's time for a look at the amazing success of Scotland's Water Babies.

And in some ways, water is a main theme of our third feature, Loving a cold climate. In this we ask whether Scotland's climate is under appreciated, take a look at how enquiring Scots have shaped our understanding of the science of weather, and examine how modern Scotland is responding to the worrying forecasts being made by climate experts.

We hope you enjoy reading these latest updates. And, as ever, if you have any comments or feedback, please get in touch via the Contact section of the site.

Courtesy of Scotland.org .

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