St Andrew's Day

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St Andrews's Day. A Celebration of Scottish Heritage and Spirit

St Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s official national day, a vibrant annual celebration that honors Saint Andrew the Apostle, the country's patron saint. Falling on November 30th each year, it marks the start of Scotland's Winter Festival season, preceding the larger celebrations of Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) and Burns Night in January, it's a day that perfectly captures the Scottish values of generosity, community, and national pride.

The Saltire and the Battle of Athelstaneford

The most enduring legend links St Andrew to the Saltire, or St Andrew’s Cross, the blue and white national flag of Scotland.

The story dates back to 832 AD during the Battle of Athelstaneford in East Lothian. King Óengus (Angus) II, leading an army of Picts and Scots against a larger force of Angles, was surrounded and prayed for divine assistance. Legend says that on the morning of the battle, a brilliant white X-shaped cross—the shape of the cross on which St Andrew was crucified—appeared in the blue sky above the battlefield . Taking this as a divine sign, the Scots were victorious. In honour of his triumph, King Óengus vowed to adopt St Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland and his cross as the nation's flag.

Scottish flag waves above a stone castle under a blue sky. The landscape shows distant hills, creating a peaceful, historic scene. From JGB Tours of Scotland

The Relics and the Town of St Andrews

Another story tells of how St Andrew's relics—parts of his physical remains—made their way to Scotland. Tradition claims that a Greek monk, St Regulus (or St Rule), was instructed in a dream to take the saint's bones to the "ends of the earth" for safekeeping. This journey eventually led him to the east coast of Fife, where he founded a settlement that would eventually become the famous university town of St Andrews. The town's magnificent cathedral was built as a shrine for these relics, making it a major pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages.

The Crucifixion

St Andrew was martyred in Patras, Greece. He was sentenced to be crucified by the Romans. However, believing himself unworthy to be crucified on the same shape of cross as Jesus, he requested an X-shaped cross, known as a crux decussata, which gave rise to the design of the Saltire.

From Religious Feast to National Holiday

While St Andrew has been Scotland's patron saint for over a millennium, and feast days were observed as far back as the 11th century, it was only in 2006 that the Scottish Parliament officially designated St Andrew's Day as a bank holiday in Scotland. This move helped to reignite large-scale, nationwide celebrations, transforming it from a quieter religious day into a major event to celebrate Scottish culture, history, and identity.

Traditional Food and Drink

Food is central to the celebrations. Families and friends gather for special dinners featuring iconic Scottish cuisine.

Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties: The classic national dish—savoury pudding with mashed swede (neeps) and potatoes (tatties). Many modern celebrations also feature delicious vegetarian and vegan haggis options.

Blue plate with haggis, mashed potatoes, and turnips. Gravy in a small jug. Rustic wooden table, colorful cloth, fork, knife, and glass nearby.From JGB Tours of Scotland

Cullen Skink: A rich and creamy soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions, perfect for a cold November day.

Creamy white culling skink soup garnished with chives and fish in a dark bowl, placed on a cloth. A spoon rests inside, with bread nearby. From JGB Tours of Scotland

Cranachan: A decadent dessert made from a blend of whipped cream, toasted oatmeal, raspberries, and a wee dram of whisky.

Cranachan, raspberries, and oats in a glass, drizzled with honey. Set on wooden table, tartan cloth, scenic hills in background. From JGB Tours of Scotland

Whisky: No Scottish celebration is complete without a toast of the 'water of life.

Bottle of Grant's Blended Scotch Whisky with two glasses on a wooden bar. Dimly lit background with various whisky bottles. Warm ambiance. From JGB Tours of Scotland

Music and Dancing: The Ceilidh

The highlight of many St Andrew’s Day celebrations is the ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), a traditional Gaelic social gathering featuring folk music and dancing.

The Atmosphere: A ceilidh is spirited, communal, and hugely fun. Fiddles, accordions, and often bagpipesprovide the lively soundtrack.
The Dances: Everyone, from beginners to experienced dancers, is encouraged to join in popular dances like the Gay Gordons, the Dashing White Sergeant, and the Strip the Willow. A "caller" explains the steps, leading to good-natured chaos and plenty of laughter!

Girls scottish country dancing dance in a circle on a grassy field by a lake. A bagpiper plays in the background, creating a joyful, lively scene with JGB Tours of Scotland van in the background

Nationwide Events

Cities and towns across Scotland host their own events, often stretching over a full weekend, with the town of St Andrews itself typically hosting a week-long festival. You'll find:

Parades and Street Festivals: Featuring pipe bands, Highland dancers, and people proudly wearing tartan.
Illuminations: Iconic landmarks, castles, and public buildings are often lit up in the blue and white colours of the Saltire.
Free Entry to Historic Sites: To encourage celebration and engagement with Scottish history, many national heritage sites may offer free entry or special events on the day.

St Andrew’s Day: More Than Just a Date

St Andrew’s Day is a perfect snapshot of what makes Scotland so appealing: a deep pride in its ancient heritage, a history full of dramatic legends, and an unmatched ability to throw a warm and welcoming party.

For visitors on a JGB Tour of Scotland, being here for St Andrew's Day is an unforgettable opportunity to not just see the culture, but to truly experience the spirit of Scotland first hand.