The Bannockburn Ceiling at the Robert the Bruce Museum, showing the arms of Sir Gilbert Hay of Erroll

Visit Scotland, the government body responsible for promoting Scotland as a tourist destination, today announced a programme of events which, they believe, will bring the Scottish diaspora flocking to our shores next year, the second, officially designated 'Year of the Homecoming.'

Sporting events will include the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.  Further outdoor activities will include an orienteering event following a trail around some of Scotland's best known castles, the world sheepdog trials and a festival celebrating the life and achievement of the great conservationst John Muir, creator of the national park,who was born in Dunbar.

A month-long series of events will be held to celebrate Gaelic culture in Inverness, based around the annual National Mod festival.  Other cultural events will include a dance festival in Edinburgh, Europe's biggest concert band festival in Perth and the Celtic Connections music festival, a major new event to be held in the new Hydro Arena in Glasgow.  Glamis Castle in Angus will host a festival dedicated to food, drink and the outdoor arts.

Visit Scotland predicts this ambitious programme will deliver the most successful year the Scottish tourist industry has ever experienced.

However, the plans to celebrate the Battle of Bannockburn in June remain as vague as ever, with Stirling's sclerotic council still apparently unable to announce any progress.  Statements appeared in the Scottish press early in March to the effect that a programme would be announced in April 2013, so we hope to bring some definite news of this soon.  But don't hold your breath.