A RECORD-BREAKING two million attendances have been recorded at 1049 Homecoming events across Scotland in 2014, VisitScotland has revealed.

The figure, which has been compiled from independent outcome reports, includes events in the Scottish Borders such as the Borders Book Festival, which attracted 17,600, Melrose Sevens, which attracted 11,084 and Tweedlove Bike Festival which welcomed 10,275.

The diverse range of sell-out events and exceptional audience figures across the country, combined with extensive global marketing campaigns by the national tourism organisation has ensured that the spotlight has truly shone on Scotland during 2014.

The success of Homecoming is testament to one of the biggest partnership campaigns ever, with event organisers, local and national government, local communities, schools, and businesses engaging with the special year across Scotland and beyond. As the curtain closes on the year Scotland welcomed the world, early positive indicators from the year include: The Homecoming event programme has been heralded as a major success with many brand new events taking place in Scotland during 2014 including The European Festival of Brass, The MTV European Music Awards, McLaren 2014 and Pipefest. Existing events were also able to extend their programmes as a result of additional Homecoming funding including Borders Book Festival, Big Burns Supper in Dumfries and Doors Open Days.

Over 1000 businesses also benefited from the year, in particular those who proactively developed Homecoming programmes and products including Strathearn Distillery, Inveralmond Brewery and Hebridean Hopscotch, a tour company which saw its bookings rise by over a quarter (26%) this year after tying in with Homecoming Scotland 2014.

Alistair Moffat, Festival Director, Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival said: “Homecoming 2014 marked a record breaking year for the Borders Book Festival.

“The support we received had two simple effects, we were able to attract nationally renowned names such as Nina Conti, Steve Backshall and Samuel West, and we were also able to deliver a much wider marketing campaign across the rest of Britain to highlight what a wonderful programme we had.

“Add the two together – and we had a very successful year, one which we hope to build on in 2015.” Final evaluation for the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2014 is due in Spring 2015.