Celebrate Scotland’s patron saint on St Andrew’s Day

On Sunday 30 November Scots will enjoy many brilliant moments as they celebrate the patron saint of Scotland on St Andrew’s Day. There are lots of events around the country to celebrate the saint, and many of the events mark the beginning of Scotland’s winter festivals. Festivities include Gaelic storytelling, street food festivals, ceilidhs, light displays and curling – so visitors and locals have plenty of choice on where they wish to raise a dram to St Andrew!

Here’s a selection of where some of the brilliant moments will take place…

The Standing Stones of Callanish – 2 for 1 entry to visitor museum

Tuesday 25 and Saturday 29 November 

Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides

The Standing Stones of Callanish are an amazing formation of prehistoric stones that stand proud on the western coast of the Isle of Lewis. Visitors to the Stones can enjoy 2-4-1 entry to the visitor centre to celebrate St Andrew’s day. 

The Feastival of St Andrew 

Sunday 30 November, noon - midnight 

SWG3, 100 Eastvale Place, Glasgow

This year the Glasgow Street Feastival and St Andrew’s Day party is part of the Homecoming Scotland events programme. This special Street Feastival curates the very best in Scottish street food, street art, spoken word and music. The street food will use the finest ingredients from Scottish larder and will be served with Scottish craft beer and cider. The cream of underground Scottish live music will perform alongside live art installations created by some of the countries most respected graffiti artists. 

Deanston Distillery St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh

Friday 28 November, 7.30pm – midnight

Muir Hall Doune, Stirlingshire

The Deanston distillery was opened in January 1966 and its location on the banks of River Teith make it an ideal place for producing whisky. Today, the Deanston Distillery produces a range of whiskies and runs events for whisky lovers and the local community. The St Andrew’s Day ceilidh will throw open the doors of the distillery to visitors with a live band bringing the music and great food and drink. Tickets are £10 for adults, £7 for over 13s, under 13s are free and include a distillery tour and a £5 voucher for use in the shop. 

Oban Winter Festival

Friday 21 - Sunday 30 November 

Oban, Argyll & Bute 

Ballet, markets, reindeer, music and fairgrounds! With a new focus around St Andrew’s Day, Oban will celebrate with a ‘Tartan Day’ in town. New for 2014, Haggisfest will feature seven butchers and haggis makers from across Argyll going head to head for the title of best haggis and visitors can have a go at haggis hurling and join the Tartan Dash! The festival will also feature a Scottish food and craft market in the old distillery.

St Andrew’s Day Celebrations in St Andrews

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 November 

St Andrews, Fife 

Where better to celebrate Scotland's patron saint than in the town that bears his name? This year historic St Andrews will be hosting three days of events including music, dance, book readings, fine food and drink, lectures and much more. The celebrations will culminate on St Andrew's Day itself with a street concert featuring top Scottish and international artists, followed by an open-air ceilidh for all the family. 

From Shetland to Wonderland

26 November, 7.30pm-9pm

Shetland Library, Lerwick, Shetland

The Shetland Library in Lerwick will be the host venue for an open mic event featuring Laureen Johnson, who will read from her Shetland dialect translation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll called Alice’s Adventirs in Wonderland. The event is free and unticketed. 

City centre celebrations are taking place in...

Perth, Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November

Traditional celebrations in Perth city centre will celebrate the patron Saint; showcasing Perth as a creative city by featuring traditional music, crafts and entertainment over the weekend alongside fabulous local, Scottish produce. 

Glasgow, Sunday 30 November 

Dance a jig on St Andrew’s Day as part of Glasgow city centre’s spectacular evening celebrations featuring music, dance and a dazzling lighting display. 

Edinburgh, Sunday 30 November

Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, St Andrew’s Day celebrations in Edinburgh will fittingly take place in St Andrew’s Square. Ceilidh dancing, magical storytelling, curling and skating demonstrations along with live music from a selection of Scotland’s finest musical talents will provide a full day of exciting activities for all the family.

ENDS