Scots around the world are set to celebrate the patron saint Saint Andrew.
Also known, as the Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas, the day is dedicated to the disciple from the New Testament within Christianity.
The national day will bring together Scots and those who are Scots-at-heart for a celebration of Scottish culture with a bank holiday and a variety of events.
When is St Andrew's Day?
This year, St Andrew's Day will fall on Wednesday, November 30.
Why do we celebrate St Andrew's Day?
The annual celebration was created to remember Saint Andrew who was one of Jesus Christ's 12 disciples, according to Christian teachings.
The Bible says that Andrew introduced his brother Peter (traditionally considered as the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church) to Jesus.
Andrew eventually became a martyr for his beliefs but reportedly refused to die on a t-shaped cross as Jesus had been.
He deemed himself unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as the son of God.
Instead, Andrew was crucified on a diagonal cross on November 30 60AD.
The X-shaped cross of the saltire later became the symbol of the saint with the final day of November becoming his saint day.
St Andrew officially became the patron saint of Scotland in 1320 at the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath.
On St Andrew's Day, the saltire must be flown on all Scottish government buildings.
Any celebrations tend to revolve around Scottish food and drink like haggis and whisky as well as traditional music and dancing.
Is St Andrews Day a Bank Holiday in Scotland?
St Andrew's Day was officially declared a bank holiday by the Scottish government in 2006.
However, banks are not required to close on November 30 if they do not want to.
If November 30 occurs on a weekend, the bank holiday is moved to the Friday or the following Monday.
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland but also what other countries?
Scotland shares its patron saint with several other countries as well as some cities, islands and other smaller regions.
The countries that have adopted him as a saint:
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Romania
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Barbados
Saint Andrew is also the patron saint of Amalfi in Italy and Tenerife in Spain among other places.
His saint status also extends to singers, fishermen and fishmongers, maidens, spinsters and women that have want to be mothers.
Andrew is also reportedly the saint of gout and sore throats as well as the Order of the Thistle which is one of the highest ranks of chivalry in the world.
Who are the other UK and Ireland saints as Scots celebrate St Andrews Day?
As Scots celebrate their patron saint on November 30, here are the other patron saints from across the UK and when their saint day takes place.
- Wales - St David - March 1
- Northern Ireland and Ireland - St Patrick - March 17
- England - St George - April 23
St Andrew's Day is celebrated on Wednesday, November 30 in 2022.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel