Forget the idea of Scotland being dreary and cold – 2014 is going to be exciting year for the country in the United Kingdom. Besides the referendum creating a buzz, it’s also Homecoming Scotland! Homecoming is a special Scottish initiative that celebrates Scottish tradition and invites everyone with Scottish heritage from around the world back home.Besides being able to experience unique aspects of Scottish culture during Homecoming, here are 5 more events that you should head to Scotland for in 2014 (Photo "Victorian Park Pavilion" by ColinBroug:
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
This exciting event will be held over the course of eleven days from 23rd July until 3rd August. The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will feature a total of seventeen sports including athletics, badminton, cycling, gymnastics, judo, weightlifting and wrestling and is set to be one of the most energy charged sporting events to be held in Scotland.
The Ryder Cup
The picturesque region of the Gleneagles will play host to this epic golf tournament in 2014, which is particularly fitting, as Scotland is often hailed as being the home of golf. This is the 40th year that the Ryder Cup is being held, which makes this event truly special: more than 45,000 spectators are expected to turn out each day to watch some of the biggest names in the world of golf test their skills against each other. (Photo "Central Edinburg" by ColinBroug)
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running 2014
Runners will race to complete this epic marathon from Fort Augustus all the way to Bught Park in Inverness. The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running is now in its 13th year and will feature an exciting programme of activities including 10K, 5K and Wee Nessie races as well as the ever popular Baxters Food and Drink Fayre.
Aboyne Highland Games
Head to Aboyne Village Green join with clansmen and women who take part in these traditional Scottish sporting games. Among the unique events that will be included in the Aboyne Highland Games are shot put, hammer throwing, weight over the bar and caber tossing, while the most brave hearted are invited to join the exhilarating Fungle Hill Race – running off-road and overland and occasionally requiring survival skills!
Hogmanay
This special winter festival is one of Scotland’s most popular traditional events and the city of Edinburgh is the perfect place to watch the magic unfold. The New Year gets started with a bang with special 'Saltire in the Sky' fireworks displays on December 31st, when impressive light displays and fire sculptures will illuminate the sky above the cities of Stirling, Stonehaven, Inverness and Edinburgh.
The festivities last for a full three days in Edinburgh and include events such as the Torchlight Procession on December 30th, the iconic Street Party and the Concert in Gardens, while few spectators could resist joining in when the crowds launch into a stirring rendition of Auld Lang Syne at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Getting to Scotland
Scotland is deemed one of the up-and-coming destinations of 2014 and numerous flights depart from US cities every day. Travel search site momondo provides an overview of the most convenient flight paths from your city.
Turas math dhut! (Bon voyage, in Scottish Gaelic)
