Thom & Kelly Sing For Scotland

The acting career of Scotland and Glasgow Warriors back-row, Kelly Brown, took another step forward today as he and team-mate Thom Evans were unveiled as part of VisitScotland’s television advertising campaign for Homecoming Scotland 2009.Following on from Brown’s involvement in the creation of Scottish Rugby’s popular We Are Scotland campaign – which features members of the Scotland squad in iconic Scottish locations which represent the land that shape them and the nation – he and Evans, both well known for their singing abilities, recite the famous Dougie MacLean song Caledonia alongside some of Scotland’s most recognisable faces.CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO (REGISTERED USERS ONLY)The Warriors pair appear alongside iconic Scots such as Lulu, Chris Hoy, Amy McDonald, Brian Cox, Sam Torrance, Eddi Reader, Sandi Thom and Sean Connery in front of breathtaking Scottish scenery.Scotland flying machine and former member of boy band Twen2y4Se7en, Evans, said: Im very proud of my Scottish roots, which is why I chose to play for Scotland. My brother Max won his first international cap earlier this month which was a great moment for the family as we became the 45th set of brothers to represent Scotland.My parents stay in Portugal so my dad comes to Scotland a lot to watch Max and I play rugby, and with 2009 being Scotland’s Homecoming year, Ill be encouraging all my other friends and family to do the same.First Minister Alex Salmond launched the advert today at a special screening in Edinburgh’s Filmhouse, where he was joined by Eddi Reader, Sandi Thom, and Dougie MacLean whose rousing anthem is showcased in the advert. First Minister Alex Salmond said: Caledonia is a song that resonates with Scots the world over. For those far away it is a reminder of strong bonds, full of the promise of return. That is what makes it the perfect anthem for our Year of Homecoming.Next year we will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of our national bard, Robert Burns, who himself wrote a song for his native Caledonia. With over 200 events nationwide to mark the occasion this advert will sing to Scots about what we have to celebrate.Im especially proud that we have a stellar line-up of Scottish talent who will deliver this invitation through this new television campaign. Sir Sean Connery, Brian Cox, Chris Hoy, Dougie MacLean, Sandi Thom, Eddi Reader, Sam Torrance, Thom Evans, Kelly Brown, Amy Macdonald and Lulu are among the Scottish talents who have given their time and support for Scotland’s year of Homecoming. I hope that across the country others will be inspired to do the same, and take the time to extend a hand to friends and family around the globe.Both players appear in their Scotland strip in front of the Strathisla Distillery in Keith, in recognition that May is whisky month during the Homecoming celebrations._ The advert is designed to encourage people living in Scotland to invite friends and family from all over the world to come home to enjoy more than 200 celebratory events. For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2009 – log onto http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com Alternatively, for more information on the Scotland players and future events, log onto www.scottishrugby.org and www.glasgowwarriors.org Both Thom and Kelly will be targeting a place in Frank Hadden’s RBS 6 Nations squad to add their cap collection.Such has been the demand from Scotland supporters on the back of the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test performances that the latest batch of tickets for public sale for the visit to Murrayfield of Ireland next March has already sold out. The next planned public sale of tickets for the Ireland game will be on Wednesday 21 January 2009.In the meantime, tickets remain on sale for the games against Wales and Italy.Tickets are available via the Scottish Rugby website (www.scottishrugby.org) and the special dedicated 24-hour RBS 6 Nations ticket hotline (0871 200 1511)._Tickets are priced at _30, _45 and _60 for adults for the game against Wales with under-18s tickets priced at _15, _22.50 and _30.Adult tickets for the Italy match are _20, _30 and _60 with concessions for under-18s and students at _10, _15 and _30.Scotland’s home matches in the 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship are:v Wales on Sunday 8 February, kick-off 3pmv Italy on Saturday 28 February, kick-off 3pmv Ireland on Saturday 14 March, kick-off 5pmFuture events at MurrayfieldRBS 6 Nations 2009- 8 February, Scotland v Wales – 28 February, Scotland v Italy – 14 March, Scotland v Ireland MAY 2009- 2 & 3 May, Rugby League’s Magic Weekend – 9 May, Scottish Hydro Electric Cup finals day – Sat 23 May, Heineken Cup final – 30 and 31 May, Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7sList of celebrities and the locations they appearing in front of areEdinburgh Castle – Sir Sean ConneryStrathisla Distillery, Keith, Speyside – Kelly Brown, Thom EvansRing of Brodgar, Orkney – Brian CoxGlasgow Science Centre – Chris HoyTurnberry – Sam TorranceCastle Stalker – LuluBuachaille Etive Mhor, Glencoe – Amy MacdonaldFar Beach, Sutherland – Sandi ThomRobert Burns Statue, Dumfries – Eddi Reader