Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond has sent a message to Scots at home and abroad to mark St Andrews Day.

The First Minister called on all Scots to join together to mark Scotland’s diversity as he also launched the countdown to Scotland’s Year of Homecoming in 2009.

The First Minister said;“St Andrew’s Day is a time of national celebration when all Scots at home and abroad can join together in marking our country’s diversity and its distinctive place in the world.

“We celebrate St Andrew’s Day this year at a time when we are facing big challenges, but we also have huge opportunities.

“This year’s celebrations mark the start of the countdown to Scotland’s Year of Homecoming in 2009, when we invite those with ties to Scotland around the world to come back and visit us.

“The next few days will also see the Scottish Government unveil full details of the £10million Saltire Prize, one of the world’s biggest ever scientific innovation awards of its kind.

“These initiatives are excellent examples of how we can celebrate our nation while also rising to the challenge of mobilising our strengths and our international resources to face down the current challenges and point the way to the future.”