St Andrew's Day

Celebrating is something Scots do well. On St Andrew's Day, Scots and Scots-at-heart come together to celebrate the patron saint of Scotland and our national day with a holiday and fantastic events, which showcase the very best of Scottish culture.

Edinburgh Castle bathed in blue light for St Andrew's Day.

St Andrew's Day Activities and Events

Friends and families enjoy celebrating St Andrew on the streets of the town.

St Andrew's Day falls on the 30 November and you'll be able to enjoy a varied programme of events and festivals, featuring uniquely Scottish line-ups of music, dance, culture and more.

BLAZIN' FIDDLES

30 November 2023

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Get your toes tapping with this set-to-be extraordinary performance from the power house fiddle quartet of Blazin' Fiddles. Bruce MacGregor, Rua Macmillan, Jenna Reid and Kristan Harvey are joined by the formidable Anna Massie on guitar/fiddle and Angus Lyon on piano to deliver a musically intoxicating evening. Join in this St Andrew's Day celebration with soulful live music from the Scottish Highlands & Islands.

Book tickets now

ST ANDREW'S DAY CELEBRATION AT MHARSANTA

30 November 2023

Bell Street, Glasgow

Mharsanta are excited to invite you along to their St Andrew’s Day celebrations. Enjoy an evening of traditional Scottish food and drink where you’ll be greeted by Chris the piper and a wee dram of 12-year-old Aberfeldy whisky.

Buy your tickets for a night of Scottish culinary magic

Brodie Castle

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

St Andrew's Day FAQ's

St Andrews Cathedral

WHAT IS ST ANDREW'S DAY?

St Andrew's Day is the feast day of Andrew the Apostle and is celebrated every year in Scotland on the 30 November. In 1320, St Andrew officially became the patron saint of Scotland when the country's independence was declared with the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath.

IS ST ANDREW'S DAY A PUBLIC HOLIDAY?

Yes. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament declared St Andrew's Day a bank holiday. Although it is not law, most Scottish employers are left to decide whether to give their staff a day off and close for the day. If the 30 November falls on the weekend, staff are given the Friday or Monday off work.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ST ANDREW'S DAY TRADITIONS?

St Andrew's Day celebrates the very best of Scottish culture with lots of delicious food and drink, music and ceilidh dancing, with parties going into the wee small hours of the night.

WHERE IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL FLAG?

Athelstaneford in East Lothian is the Birthplace of Scotland's national flag. The St Andrew's Cross or Saltire as it’s referred is believed to be the oldest flag in Europe.

Man addressing the haggis at a Burns Supper.

WHAT ARE COMMON ST ANDREW'S DAY GAMES?

Get creative at home and spruce up your living space with these fun St Andrew's Day crafts. From Scottie Dog mobiles to making your very own saltire collage. There's lots to keep wee and big bairns entertained!

WHAT ARE COMMON ST ANDREW'S DAY SONGS?

From the famous Auld Lang Syne to Dougie Maclean's epic anthem Caledonia. Here are just a few suggestions to kick off your St Andrew's day sing-a-long.

Liberty sung by The Corries

Loch Lomond performed by Runrig

Scots Wha Hae, written by Robert Burns, sung by Dick Gaughan

The Wild Geese/Norland Wind sung by Jim Reid

WHAT IS ST ANDREW'S DAY FOOD?

Scotland’s food and drink plays a big part on St Andrew’s Day. For starters, the traditional soup dish cullen skink is often served; made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. When it comes to the main course, there can only be one dish to celebrate Scotland’s patron saint, haggis, neeps (turnip), and tatties (mashed potato).

Dessert is a dish best served hot especially on cold winter nights, round off your feast with clootie dumpling and custard. A traditional Scottish dessert made of dried fruit, spices, oatmeal or breadcrumbs, flour, and beef suet. The word ‘clootie’ derives from the Old Scots word ‘cloth’ where the dumpling was traditionally boiled.

Find out more about St Andrew's

Discover more about our patron saint and well-known Scottish traditions.

St Andrew & the Saltire

Our flag is believed to be the oldest flag in Europe, and features the St Andrews cross.

St Andrews

Discover St Andrews, the world-famous Home of Golf, including holiday ideas, accommodation, travel and maps & fantastic things to see & do.

Haggis

Learn about haggis, Scotland's national dish, with information on what is haggis, delicious haggis recipes, Burns' suppers and more.

Gaelic Language & History

Learn about Gaelic and its origins which is still spoken today by around 60,000 Scots.

Tartan and kilts

You might think you know tartan, but its story is as rich and complex as its iconic fabric. 

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