Bright start ready for Homecoming

A lantern procession will head across the Devorgilla Bridge in Dumfries as part of the Burns Light event on 25 January

A Burns night lantern procession will kick off Homecoming 2009 celebrations in the town where the poet is buried.

The Burns Light evening on 25 January is a key part of a programme of events in Dumfries and Galloway.

Four processions through Dumfries will go past its Midsteeple, Burns House, Devorgilla Bridge and St Michael's Church where the poet was laid to rest.

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said she was delighted with the "fantastic contribution" the region was planning.

Personally, I am looking forward to celebrating Burns night in Dumfries, a great place to welcome the start of the Year of Homecoming Linda Fabiani Culture minister Full programme of events

She was in Dumfries to attend the launch of the Dumfries and Galloway programme of events.

Ms Fabiani said: "The programme compiled by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association shows how diverse our culture is and exactly why we should be celebrating it.

"Personally, I am looking forward to celebrating Burns night in Dumfries, a great place to welcome the start of the Year of Homecoming."

Four processions will set off from different points in the town before congregating on its Whitesands.

Schools across the region have been attending lantern workshops to prepare for the event.

Further workshops are planned in the town in the build-up to the celebration.

Homecoming 2009 coincides with the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns birth in 1759.