PROBABLY because it is still not a national public holiday as opposed to a bank holiday many people have had to put off their St Andrew’s Day events until today and tomorrow.
They are all equally valid in celebrating Scotland’s national day, the feast day of our patron saint, and Yes groups across the country are taking the opportunity to celebrate our Scottishness as never before.
If you look up you might see something lovely today, namely our beautiful Scottish Saltire and a few banners for independence.
You’ll have to be in Glasgow or on the A92, however, because that’s where the latest Bridges for Indy events are scheduled to take place later today.
The Glasgow flag-waving will take place at Buchanan Galleries in the city at 11.30am and then move to Charing Cross flyover at 1.30 pm.
Yes Monifieth are heading to the bridge over the A92 at Carnoustie to Muirdrum at 11am, and they tell us: “Bring your flags and help spread the message of hope and determination.”
The Bridges for Indy Facebook page group says: “It was great to see so many march for Independence this year! It would also be great to see many march to a bridge near them on the closest Saturday to St Andrew’s Day for ‘See Us? See Bridges? SEE YES!’ to close a highly successful year of activism.”
Apart from the ones mentioned above, we at the Yes DIY Hub are reliably informed that there might be other spontaneous Bridges for Indy events, so keep your eyes out for those Saltires.
In Oban, Grassroots for Independence invite you to join them today from 10am to noon for coffee, cake and a chat about a better future for Scotland at the Rockfield Centre, Stevenson Street.
In East Lothian, Preston, Seton, Gosford and Fa’side SNP are holding their annual festive coffee morning at 11am in St Martin’s Church Hall in Tranent (opposite Asda).
They tell us: “It’s a family-friendly event and non-SNP members and members alike are very welcome along for a chat over a cuppa and slice, or two, of cake.
“There will be a fun festive quiz and (of course!) a wee branch fundraising raffle. Donations of home-baking and raffle prizes are most welcome.”
In Hamilton, The Hub in Campbell Street is holding a Foodbank Fundraiser from 11am to 2pm with coffee, tombola, novelties, crafts and homemade chutney and books, DVDs and CDs on sale. They tell us that all proceeds are going to the local foodbank for Christmas.
It’s not strictly to do with St Andrew’s day, but we must mention that National columnist Lesley Riddoch will be presenting her two short films from the Nation trilogy on Norway and the Faroes tomorrow at 6pm at the Stirling Smith Gallery in the city’s Dumbarton Road.
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