ST Andrew’s Day 2020 will be a very different affair to recent years because of Covid with most of us celebrating from our home and online.

But what it lacks in physical spectacle will be more than made up for in national spirit and patriotism.

Musicians are leading the way with Frontline Festival Scotland bringing together more than 30 Scottish artists.

Running from midday-10pm on Monday, November 30, it is being flagged up as the biggest virtual shindig in 2020. And it’s free though donations are always welcomed and the money will go to a good cause.

And who better to host the virtual fundraising gig than Bannockburn House?

Among the artists who have signed up so far are:

Wet Wet Wet, Hue and Cry, Altered Images, The Bay City Rollers, Sandi Thom, Nicholas McDonald, Jai McDowall, Raintown, The Ronains, Graeme Clark, JJ Gilmour, The Bluebells, Kirsten Adamson, Katee Kross, Ian Donaldson, The Red Eyes, Finn Paul, Kodak Ghosts, Salt River Shakedown, Chloe Marie, Ohnova, Crashton, Take Today,  Layaway, Just the Brave, Stevie Lawrence and Fiona Cuthill, Primes, DMS, Hessian Renegade, A Ritual Spirit, Stay For Tomorrow, The Rhubarb, Jonny and the Hormones,  Pale Fire, Black Star Jackals, Louis Page, Ocean of You.

Give a Like on the What’s On Glasgow Facebook page, join the What’s on Scotland Facebook Group and follow on the @WhatsOnGlasgow Twitter account.

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Scotland’s Gaels have also been forging ahead undaunted throughout November with their online Blas Festival (https://www.blas.scot).

It will culminate with a grand St Andrew’s night concert of performances from 8pm, of  “newly composed Gaelic songs inspired by Scotland’s Coasts and Waters” and a performance by Hebridean band Beinn Lee.

“In what has been a challenging year for musicians and communities, we are very much looking forward to bringing an online Blas Festival to people’s homes and to extending the festival’s reach through digital means,” said Arthur Cormack of Feisean nan Gaidheal, the National Association of Scottish Gaelic Arts Youth Tuition Festivals.

This year’s St Andrew’s Fair Saturday Festival (https://standrews.fairsaturday.org) will include more than 30 online events and draw to a close tomorrow.

And what would a Scottish party be without a spot of ceilidh dancing?

And this is where the Science Ceilidh (https://www.scienceceilidh.com) comes in, putting an emphasis on community programmes and also partners with Leith Labs to promote art, science and culture.

Be sure and leave yourself plenty of space because this should be a lively social event while also acknowledging the pressure on others at this time. The organisers are asking for donations to a local charity working with loneliness.

The Fair Saturday Foundation acknowledges that this year’s St Andrew’s Day will be very different but believes that Scottish resolve will make it a fulfilling and enjoyable experience for all.

Jordi Albareda, Director and Founder of the Fair Saturday Foundation from Fair Saturday, said: “Despite not being able to meet socially this year, Fair Saturday will offer Scots up and down the country the perfect way to experience our country’s great talent and rich cultural scene at home. From music, dance and exhibitions – mostly hosted online – we can celebrate St Andrew’s Day through amazing shared experiences.”

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This year’s Covid challenges have brought out an outpouring of generosity and gestures from the Scottish people.

And this year that is centred around the One Scotland Scottish Government One Million Words Of Kindness initiative.

Artist Emily Hogarth has been brought on board to create a bespoke postcard that can be emailed or texted, while many will have already bought a physical card which will be popping through the letterbox tomorrow.

It also includes a short film celebrating the community spirit and shared kindness displayed across the country.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Sharing kindness with others has never been more important. Our national day is a significant moment to recognise the resilience and shared kindness that runs through the fabric of the people of Scotland and has helped us all get through these difficult times.

“We may not be able to get together physically this year but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to look out for each other at a time when lots of people are facing loneliness and we hope that by 30th November we’ll have reached one million kind messages being passed around our country and perhaps even beyond, a true demonstration of what we can do when we all come together.

“With themes of kindness, fairness, inclusivity and empowerment, this year’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations offer a message of hope and positivity across the country and bring us together in uncertain times.” 

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The campaign has been supported across Scottish society. Age Scotland Chief Executive has seen first hand how important human connection is to the elderly.

He said: “A huge number of older people have already spent most of this year much more isolated than ever before. At Age Scotland, we know that even before the pandemic 100,000 older people in Scotland felt lonely all or most of the time and 200,000 went half a week without a visit or call from anyone.

“This St Andrew’s Day we’re asking everyone to contribute to the Scottish Government’s aim of sharing One Million Words of Kindness and share a kind word with an older person.

“As the days grow shorter and the weather gets worse, the difference a small gesture can make to an older person who might be feeling lonely is incredible and we all have a part to play in ensuring no one feels they are going through this difficult time alone.”

The card is available to download and share online from the Scottish Government’s website. Visit https://onescotland.org/campaigns/st-andrews-day/.

And because we have all had more time during long periods holed up in our own houses to reflect on ourselves and our Scottishness tomorrow is the perfect day for a reflection with the online A Poetic Constitution for Scotland: Performance.

And what it means to be Scottish/New Scottish today.

Running from 7pm-8.30pm and as part of the Being Human Festival a new play will be premiered of a play inspired and informed by public responses.

The performance will be followed by a discussion with the creative team, including the playwright Effie Samara, offering a space to continue the conversation. Visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/arts/aboutus/events/index.html/event/11878.