When is St Andrew's Day?

St Andrew's Day ( Saunt Andra’s Day) is Scotland’s national day.

St Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland on the 30th of November, in honour of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

It is a day to celebrate Scottish culture, food and danceand is celebrated around the world.

Who was St Andrew?

St. Andrew was a fisherman who became one of Christ's twelve apostles.

The Romans crucified him on an X-shaped cross (a “saltire cross”)

This kind of cross is called the cross of Saint Andrew. It appears on the flag of Scotland.

What does the flag of St Andrew look like?

‘The Saltire’, Scotland’s national flag, is steeped in history and legend and is thought to be the oldest national flag in Europe.

The flag can be seen flying with gusto in the crowds of international sporting events, on churches and on national and local government offices.

How do we celebrate this day?

Dress in traditional Scottish costume.

Men traditionally wear a kilt whose design and colour represents their clan (their family heritage)

Clan Macalister

Women sometimes wear a kilt also but usually they wear a nice dress and add a little piece of tartan to their clothing.

Enjoy Scottish food and drink.

People go for a nice meal and order haggis, neeps and tatties which is Scotland's national dish.

With their meal, adults drink a dram of whiskey which is Scotland's national drink.

Children usually drink Irn-Bru, Scotland’s national fizzy drink. It is even more popular than Coca Cola!

Enjoy a variety of Scottish desserts

Traditional shortbread

Scottish tablet

Ginger cake

Dundee cake

Participate in a ceilidh

It is a party with singing and dancing to Scottish or Irish traditional music and storytelling.

Everyone, young and old, dances to the sound of bagpipes, Scotland’s national musical instrument.

How does the party end?

Everyone holds hands and sings the song ‘ O Flower of Scotland’, one of the country ’s most popular anthems.

O flower of Scotland

O Flower of Scotland,When will we seeYour likes againThat fought and died forYour wee bit hill and glen.And stood against him,Proud Edward's army,And sent him homewardTo think again.

Haur ye gae! Enjoy yer sweeties an drink!

Hae ae braw Saunt Andra’s Day!