Kings of Scotland; Elvis Had Scots Roots and Obama's Ancestor Was Our 12th Century Ruler IN HONOUR OF HOMECOMING, WE FIND STARS WITH TARTAN HERITAGE

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Byline: By Craig McQueen

AT first glance, Barack Obama, Elvis Presley and Reese Witherspoon don't seem to have that much in common.

But, like many of the world's best-known faces, the unlikely trio can all trace their roots back to Scotland.

While the US president's family tree goes all the way back to a 12th-century king, Elvis's ancestors came from Aberdeenshire.

And Reece Witherspoon's Scottish forefather signed the Declaration of Independence.

Now, with the launch of the Year of Homecoming campaign, more and more people around the world are finding out if they have any Scottish blood.

Genealogist Stuart Reid, who runs Edinburgh firm Scottish Roots, said: "A lot of the interest is because Scotland has a well-established public profile around the world.

"There are a lot of people who know about the country and have an almost romantic desire to be linked to it in some way.

"Over the last 25 years, there's always been a fairly high demand from people wanting to research their ancestors from Scotland, although the internet has made it easier and even more accessible."

Stuart believes another reason people from overseas look to Scotland to trace their lineage comes down to a desire to feel connected to an …