The Homecoming initiative saw a series of events staged throughout 2009 The economic impact of Scotland’s year-long Homecoming celebrations has been “substantially” overestimated, an evaluation of the event has said.
Economist Dr Geoff Riddington said the 2009 initiative probably generated 900 jobs, rather than 1,536.
Homecoming marked the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth and aimed to attract Scots from around the world.
The government previously said the celebrations brought in £53.7m, exceeding the £44m target by 22%.
Dr Riddington’s report, which was presented to the Scottish Parliament’s economy committee, said the model which had been used to evaluate Homecoming Scotland was “out of date and incorrect and and substantially overestimates the actual impact”.
Gathering event
Scotland will stage a second year of Homecoming in 2014 to coincide with the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, as well as the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.
First Minister Alex Salmond recently defended a government loan to the failed private company which hosted last year’s Edinburgh clan gathering event.
The Gathering 2009 Ltd – the showpiece event in the Homecoming calendar – went bust after receiving £670,500 in taxpayers’ cash, including an £180,000 interest-free loan not disclosed at the time.
Opposition leaders expressed anger that funds were written off and companies involved had to lay off staff, but Mr Salmond said the action saved an event worth £10m to the economy.
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