St. Andrew's Day

St. Andrew's Day commemorates Scotland's patron saint and is a Scottish Bank Holiday, although employers are not obliged to give employees time off. St. Andrew's Day is marked on 30th November every year. If that date is on the weekend, the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday takes place on the following Monday 1st or 2nd December.

Starting in the morning, students from schools and universities across Scotland will compete to win the St Andrew’s Day debating prize.

A celebration of Scotland's spoken and musical traditions. Free, but booking required via web site

The brightest and best St Andrews Festival will light up the North East of Fife this weekend. This year’s event aims to delight visitors with large scale light and sound installations, plays music, food and the stunning world premier of WILDFIRE! an outdoor medley of music, dance and martial arts.

Jig the night away at The Hub to the stomping sounds of Skerryvore and A Whisky Kiss. Dougie MacLean will perform a special set. Entry on a first come, first served basis.

The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland perform a brand new show at Edinburgh's recently refurbished Usher Hall entitled the 'Dragon's Lair'.

Young traditional musicians lead folk in this grand finale Homecoming ceilidh dance at the Museum of Scotland. Free.

A special performance, inspired by Robert Burns' epic poem Tam O'Shanter, from Scottish Youth Theatre and YDance.

A vibrant mix of jazz and big band pieces from inspiring ensemble of young musicians. Free.

As part of the St Andrew's Do events, celebrating St. Andrew's Day, Edinburgh Filmhouse will screen three free Scottish films including the 1945 cinematic classic I Know Where I’m Going!, British period drama Mrs Brown starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly, and the inspirational tale of legendary Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree, The Flying Scotsman.

On Saturday 28th November, the Scottish Storytelling Centre has a special treat for all ages with a free, drop-in afternoon that brings all generations together in a celebration of yarns with Between the Generations: Sharing the Stories from 2pm to 4.30pm.  

This event brings together all aspects of storytelling and the afternoon will build bridges between the generations through storytelling, highlight basic storytelling skills and ensure that all participants have fun!

This year's St. Andrew's Day festivities, aka the St. Andrew's "Do", will be the biggest ever it was announced today.

St. Andrew's Day events - the St Andrews Do - climax with a fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle.

The main viewing point is West Princes Street Garden directly under the castle.

In the run-up to Scotland's national day St Andrew's Day a weekend of festivities will be centred on St Andrew Square Gardens and linked to venues across Edinburgh and Scotland, including free access to Historic Scotland castles and buildings. The 2009 St Andrew’s ‘DO’ offers a programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment.

Opening times are Sat 28 Nov, 10am-8pm, and Sun 29 Nov, 11am-6pm.

Die-hard carnivores will tell you that the traditional haggis without meat is not haggis. But for those who wish no harm on the famously shy, wee beastie then here's a vegetarian adaptation for your table.

Edinburgh Zoo is set to open its doors to the public for free, for the first time in its history, on St. Andrew's Day. The Zoo will be joining dozens of other visitor attractions (see story) around Scotland, including Edinburgh Castle, which are participating in the Scottish Government's ‘Visit for Free' initiative on Sunday 30 November.

Scotland's national day of celebration sees a weekend long government-sponsored fest in Princes Street Gardens West, dubbed the St. Andrew's DO.

Historic Scotland is celebrating St Andrews Day with free entry to Edinburgh Castle and other attractions across the country on the last weekend of November.

The Scottish Government is building on the St. Andrew's Day

It's St. Andrew's Day today, Scotland's national day, which means the dancing and festivities will be in full flow at West Princes Street Gardens not just until late tonight, but throughout this weekend.