Part of a growing trend in Scottish tourism, dozens of celebrities are learning that their roots trace back to Scotland. Tourism and genealogy agencies have been helping celebs such as supermodel Kirsty Hume, actors Hugh Grant and Donovan Leitch, and Sex and the City star Kyle MacLachlan - delve into their Scottish ancestry, in an effort to encourage genealogy tourism to the country.

It is estimated that 28 million people worldwide claim Scottish ancestry, and is is estimated that several hundred thousand people visit Scotland each year with genealogy research as the motivation for the trip. Web sites such as Ancestral Scotland have sprung up in recent years to help promote this growing trend.

The recent news that Harry Potter creator JK Rowling can probably trace her roots to a 19th-century doctor from Arran, Scotland, provides yet another glimpse into the world's fascination with Scottish heritage. I sure haven't seen this much press over Polish, German, or French roots!

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