First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday viewed the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne and predicted that "our very own international cultural icon, Robert Burns" would help turn a threatened tourism downturn in 2009 into a visitor boom.

Mr Salmond recorded his New Year message at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, which is hosting the Paths of Robert Burns exhibition of key documents and manuscripts until February before it is taken on tour around the country for the rest of the Year of Homecoming, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the bard.

Apart from the touring Burns exhibition by the National Library, the National Trust for Scotland is also playing its part by creating a Burns Blog of letters by the bard, placed online in the coming months.

More than 90 letters are being posted at www.burnsletters.wordpress.com on the anniversary of the dates they were written, leading up to the opening of the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in July 2010, with links to a fundraising site for those who want to help raise £4m towards the £21m cost of the museum.

Looking at the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne, the First Minister said in his New Year message: "Written by our very own international cultural icon Robert Burns, Auld Lang Syne is a masterpiece that is sung by hundreds of millions of people around the world to welcome each and every New Year. As we know, New Year is a time for family, for reunions, for taking stock, for looking back and looking forward.

"For many people, 2009 will be an enormous challenge, with the full impact of the economic downturn starting to bite. At times like this, therefore, it is even more important that we pull together as a nation.

"I believe there is a spirit of optimism that will pull us through and encourage people to return to Scotland for our Year of Homecoming."

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