"No politics" in Year of Homecoming events ORGANISERS of the £6 million Year of Homecoming campaign have insisted it will be kept free of politics - ahead of a spectacular launch which will see giant Saltires and thistles created in the sky above central Edinburgh. The campaign, designed to attract tens of thousands more visitors to Scotland in 2014, will officially get under way tonight during the annual Torchlight Procession in the capital. Specially-created lighting effects, fireworks displays and fire sculptures will be deployed at Calton Hill this evening, to create a special so-called "Hogmanay Homecoming moment." The Scottish-themed lighting, including giant thistles and Saltires, will be recreated in Edinburgh, Stonehaven, Inverness, Stirling and Biggar on New Year's Eve. VisitScotland provided Hogmanay celebrations organisers Unique Events with an additional £400,000 to fund what has been billed as Scotland's "first truly collective celebration of the New Year." Speaking ahead of the launch events, culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said the nation was "on the cusp of one of its most momentous years" while First Minister Alex Salmond said the campaign would ensure a special welcome in 2014, when he predicted "the eyes of the world will be on Scotland." In an interview with The Scotsman ahead of the launch tonight - expected to attract more than 20,000 participants - project director Caroline Packman insisted Homecoming was "absolutely a non-political ­campaign." But she admitted there were no official protocols in place to prevent political meddling or interference in the campaign, which is hoped to generate at least £44m for the nation's economy and attract an additional 70,000 visitors next year. Pete Irvine, managing director of Unique Events, which was called in to organise a three-day festival to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in the summer, said Homecoming should not be seen as a political initiative. Mr Salmond said: "The eyes of the world will be on Scotland in 2014 and Scotland will provide a special welcome to the world during those 12 months. Our unique offering has just been recognised by [travel guide] Lonely Planet which named Scotland one of the top countries in the world for travellers in 2014. The second Year of Homecoming offers something for everyone: whether it's enjoying our inspiring natural resources and outdoor activities, experiencing our vibrant culture, creativity and ancestral heritage or savouring the best of Scotland's food and drink. Combined with the stellar international sporting events of the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, this programme will allow us to celebrate all that gives the nation its worldwide reputation as a destination with warmth and heart. Ms Hyslop added: "Scotland is on the cusp of one of its most momentous years. Our Hogmanay celebrations are the perfect way for everyone to get in the party mood and to show off our world-famous welcome. I hope that people the length and breadth of the country take the opportunity to be part of the excitement and enjoy Scotland's moment to shine. Ms Packman explained that the 12-month programme, which features more than 400 events, represents a huge ­opportunity to "enhance Scotland's image on the international stage" and capitalise on the huge levels of media coverage that are expected to be generated over the next year by the major sporting events. While clearly we want to boost tourism in 2014, it's not just about next year, it's about looking beyond that as well. We think the whole year will help to get Scotland on people's radar screens as a destination to visit at some point in the future. Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, which is running the Homecoming campaign on behalf of the Scottish Government, said: "2014 is going to be an exceptional year for Scotland, so we wanted to start the year with an exceptional celebration. Homecoming Scotland is all about celebrating our home - Scotland - and as we're known as the home of Hogmanay the world over, this is our moment. Mr Irvine added: "Homecoming is a government-funded project, it's not an SNP project. That additional funding is really welcome for us, not just to invent things like the Bannockburn project, but also to support the events that we do already like Hogmanay. While Edinburgh's Hogmanay is world-renowned and we will be kicking off the Homecoming launch at our torchlight procession, we're very much looking forward to working with other cities and towns across Scotland in the first truly collective celebration of the New Year. What's on for New Year spectacular THE additional £400,000 for Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations will see extra pyrotechnics, lighting effects and fire sculptures at events around the country. Here's where they can be seen over the next two days. Edinburgh - 7:15pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks and lighting display above Calton Hill. 8pm: Son et Lumiere display, fireworks and fire sculpture on Calton Hill. Edinburgh - 8:14pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks sequence and lighting display above Calton Hill. 11pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks sequence above Edinburgh Castle during the Concert in the Gardens event headlined by Pet Shop Boys. Inverness - 8:14pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks and lighting display above the city centre. Fire sculpture lit at Inverness Castle. Midnight: Reprise of Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks sequence during the Red Hot Highland Fling event at the Northern Meeting Park. Stirling - 8:14pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks from Wallace Monument. Midnight: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks reprised during the Stirling Castle concert. Biggar - Midnight: Fire sculpture lit as part of annual Hogmanay bonfire celebrations. Stonehaven - Shortly after midnight: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks and fire sculpture at Stonehaven Harbour. Weather forecasts improve ORGANISERS of the capital's celebrations are expecting a late rush for tickets after receiving an improved weather forecast for the festivities. High winds are now predicted to be unlikely, while the five-hour event may even escape showers under the latest predictions. A Met Office spokesman said: "It looks like there may be the odd passing shower in Edinburgh on Hogmanay, but it is looking mainly dry at the moment for the evening and the wind doesn't look any stronger than breezy."