St Andrew's Day

On November 30th 2008 Scots all around the world will be celebrating Scotland's national day, St Andrew's Day. Find out what's happening near you and join the celebration!

St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.
St Andrew is celebrated on 30 November.
St Andrew's Day is a day to celebrate Scottish culture, cuisine and ceilidhs.
St Andrew's flag is the flag of Scotland.
It's in the form of a white X on a blue background.
It is commonly known as The Saltire.
St Andrew's Societies exist around the world to celebrate Scottish culture.

November 2008
St Andrews Day Celebrations Around the Worldback to features
Scots have travelled far and wide to countries hot and cold and the Scots Diaspora – people claiming Scots descent – is now estimated at some 100 million. When you add to these, current Scots nationals living and working abroad, it's little wonder that there are a multitude of St Andrew's Societies across the globe celebrating Scottish traditions.

A night to celebrate Scotland
In Calgary, Alberta and Chicago, Illinois; in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida and Modesto, California; in Java and Bangkok and Singapore and many other locations, people gather on 30th November to dance the "dashing white sergeant", to drink a dram or two, to hear a ballad, a tale, a snatch of song and the irresistible bagpipe's call to the moor. Take for example, the St Andrew's Day Gathering in Sydney, Australia or the 145th annual St Andrew's Day Ball in San Francisco. In short, people gather to indulge in 'Scottishness'. And why not – no events organiser could think up a better 'party pack'. But what's telling – and the locations listed above are just a fraction of those around the world boasting St Andrew's Societies – is the strength of connection with Scotland.

Scotland's Celebration
The night of the patron saint is an ideal time to celebrate such connection. And it's not the preserve of the Scottish Diaspora either, there's plenty of celebration at home in Scotland. Ceilidhs test the floorboards of many a village hall from Gretna Green to Lerwick on 30th November. In the town that bears the saint's name, St Andrew's, there's a week-long festival of arts and activities. And since November 30th 1996, when the Stone of Destiny was returned to Scotland and housed in Edinburgh Castle it has been decreed that the Castle shall be open with free entry on every St Andrew's Day – in perpetuity – to allow the people of Scotland to view the fabled Stone. St Andrew's DO, a free event for all will also be running in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens throughout St Andrew's Day weekend 29-30th November.

Continuing the Celebration – Homecoming 2009
So the spirit of celebration is very much alive and will be continued in earnest in Homecoming year 2009. Marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, Homecoming 2009 will be the biggest ever celebration of Scotland's achievements and culture and our ties of family and friendship around the world. Events across the country will pick up the thread from St Andrew's Day to celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns himself, whisky, golf, great Scottish minds and innovations and our rich culture and heritage. For more information visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com