St Andrew's Day

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.

St Andrews Night at Perth Museum

30 November 2024

Perth Museum invites you to an evening of local food and whisky tasting. Discover a handpicked selection of fine whiskies paired with a curated tasting menu.

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Blazin' Fiddles with Karen Matheson

30 November 2024

Blazin’ Fiddles - Scottish Folk Band of The Year - return to the Usher Hall in Edinburgh for their third annual St Andrew’s night spectacular with very special guest Karen Matheson!

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What is St Andrews 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 Andrews 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 Andrews 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 hours of the night.

What food should you eat on St Andrews Day?

Scotland’s food and drink plays a big part on St Andrew’s Day.

• Starter - the traditional soup dish, Cullen Skink, is often served and is made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions.
• Main - many people celebrate Scotland’s patron saint with haggis, neeps (turnip) and tatties (mashed potato). Whether you decide to cook up a storm at home and buy from your local butchers or choose to dine out, you’ll find a wide variety of dishes across Scotland’s pubs and restaurants.
• Dessert - is a dish best served hot especially on a cold winter night, so 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.