Banknote designs mark Homecoming

Robert Burns and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are on the £10 banknote

Banknotes designed by the Clydesdale bank to celebrate Scotland's Homecoming year have been unveiled.

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is being held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth.

The commemorative notes feature famous Scots, including Robert Burns and Robert the Bruce, and the five World Heritage Sites in Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the notes were a "wonderful contribution" to the Homecoming celebrations.

He said: "Homecoming 2009 is shaping up to be the biggest celebration of Scotland yet and our great contribution to the world. We are confident it will be a year to remember and that we will meet our target to generate £40m in tourism revenue.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh features on the £100 note In pictures: Homecoming banknote

"And of course I am delighted to see the iconic image of Burns has been presented in the most widely used £10 note in recognition of our national bard's 250th anniversary.

"I would like to thank Clydesdale Bank for these new designs. Theses commemorative notes will be in circulation, worldwide, forever - I cannot think of a greater start to our In Scotland, three banks are allowed to issue their own notes, Clydesdale Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Scotland.

They currently issue £100m in notes per year.

The new Clydesdale Bank designs include Sir Alexander Fleming on the £5 note, Elsie Inglis on the £50 note and the £100 features Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

David Thorburn, chief operating officer of Clydesdale Bank, said he was delighted with the new notes.

He said: "I am particularly pleased that a new portrait of Robert Burns will feature on one of our most popular notes - a fitting tribute in the 250th anniversary of the year that he was born."