The Gathering 2009, a celebration of Scotland's culture, has unveiled its world-class line up and programme for the Highland games and Scottish festival.

The family gathering of the year will take place in Holyrood Park Edinburgh, on July 25 and 26.

The feast of events range from the Deuchars world highland games heavy events championship, Scottish piping, highland dancing and the clan village, to live music, whisky tastings, food and crafts fairs, children’s activities, and a large genealogy area.

The Gathering 2009 will cover the entire area of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park, behind the magnificent Holyrood Palace, and involve hundreds of participants, including 125 clan and family associations, more than 350 Highland dancers, and 60 crafts and food producers, all housed within 200 individual marquees covering almost 8000 square metres.

Thousands of visitors from more than 34 countries have already secured their tickets, said a report.

One-day tickets for the Highland Games and Scottish festival cost £15 ($24.75) for adults, £10 for concessions, while children under four are free.

Discounted two-day, family, and all-inclusive tickets - The Gathering 2009 Passports, which provide holders entry to both days of games, a place in the clan parade and a seat for the pageant are also available, costing £88 and £95.

Director of The Gathering 2009, Lord Sempill said: “This is not just a gathering of clans from across the world, this is a celebration of our culture that families from across Scotland can enjoy too, and this is reflected in the different activities and events in Holyrood Park which will appeal to all ages.”

Marie Christie, project director Homecoming Scotland 2009, added: “The Gathering is expected to be one of the highlights of our Homecoming 2009 events programme, which features more than 300 events across the country this year."

"The event organisers have done a fantastic job of engaging Scots worldwide, many thousands of whom will be joining the Homecoming 2009 celebrations," she added.

On the Saturday evening of The Gathering 2009, there will also be a clan parade of around 6000 people along the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade for the world premiere of a specially-written pageant entitled Aisling’s Children; Tales of the Homecoming. – TradeArabia News Service