Today in Scotland we celebrate St Andrew’s Day which for some seems to be a holiday. Is it a holiday where you are? It is a Bank Holiday but other employers can choose whether or not to offer the holiday. Here are some of the things we have found to help you celebrate.
There is of course an app to help you with your own version of St Andrew’s Day and will test you on your knowledge of our patron saint and allows you to download a playlist for the day. You will find the app here.
There is a Google Doodle……
Free tickets are still available for more than 40 of Scotland’s top heritage attractions to people who pre-register online as part of this year’s St. Andrew’s celebrations.
The ticket giveaway, which is being run by Historic Scotland, includes attractions such as Stirling Castle, recently voted the UK’s best loved heritage attraction by members of Which ? magazine and Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness.
Edinburgh Castle’s 10,000 free tickets have now all been allocated for the weekend of 1st and 2nd December however there are still lots of great sites across Scotland to explore.
Visitors need to register in advance at a special website, www.ticketgiveaway.co.uk
in order to download a free ticket for each person for the attraction they would like to visit over this weekend.
The Ticket Giveaway is part of the Scottish Government’s Winter Festivals programme – which celebrates three of the country’s most distinctive festivals – St. Andrew’s Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night.
Stephen Duncan, Director of Commercial and Tourism at Historic Scotland said:-
“This is a great way to enjoy some of Scotland’s best loved heritage attractions and uncover some hidden gems along the way.There is no limit on the number of sites that people can sign up for however there are some restrictions on the number of tickets available at certain sites to maintain a quality visitor experience.
“Visitors need to register in advance to gain free access so we’d advise people to sign up as soon as possible so that they don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit a great heritage attraction for free.”
Apparently the Saltire is being flown from 10 Downing Street today (alongside the Union Jack). Any other places where it is being hoisted?
The First Minister has posted a St Andrew’s Day message…
First Minister Alex Salmond has used his St Andrew’s Day message to highlight Scotland’s proud history of invention and discovery as he extended a warm invite for overseas visitors to join in the country’s Winter Festival celebrations.
During the message the First Minister is seen watching the school’s country dance practice and leading discussion on St Andrew before sending his warmest wishes to Scots and Scots at heart on the occasion of the national day.
Mr Salmond uses the film to extend an invite to the world to visit Scotland and join in our Winter Festival Celebrations, which run from St Andrew’s Day through Christmas and Hogmanay, then right through to Burns Night at the end of January.
The Castle Esplanade will burst into life for a spectacular celebration of St Andrew’s Day, with ‘Carnival at the Castle’, produced in association with Scotland’s Winter Festivals. The spectacle will tell the show of how St. Andrew came to be the patron saint of Scotland and will include an array of theatre, dance, music, projections and illuminations, followed by a short firework display.
Some restaurants and cafés are offering special deals across the weekend which you might like to take advantage of.
The Edinburgh Larder 15 Blackfriars Street EH1 1NB, United Kingdom 0131 556 6922 is offering a set St Andrew’s Day lunch menu and dinner menu for £25.
Stac Polly are offering a set dinner menu on St Andrew’s Day for £36 per person.
Candy cupcakes – Will have a limited edition Tunnock’s teacake cupcake – A take on the traditional Scottish cake, the cupcake will have a biscuit base, vanilla sponge topped with marshmallow and dipped in chocolate
Mimi’s Bakehouse – Offering a menu of Scottish classics including Scottish Lamb Hotpot/Macsween Haggis Stovies and Cranican Cheesecake. They will also have limited edition Scottish Tablet cupcakes on offer
Cuckoo’s Bakery – Offering a limited edition Millionaire’s Shortbread cupcake
RUSKO ‘ UK Tour’ featuring RUSKO @ The Liquid Rooms
This is one of 7 dates on his UK Tour and is an Exclusive with his only Scottish Date!
Xplicit is proud to present RUSKO on his UK TOUR
Leeds-born, LA-based dubstep pioneer Rusko is hitting the UK for a 7 day UK Tour to coincide with his new KAPOW EP which is available online now.
The tour will round-off a hectic and productive year for Rusko, which has already seen the producer and DJ release his second album, Songs, unveil a collaborative project with West Coast hip-hop heroes Cypress Hill, perform a month-long Las Vegas residency and maintain a seemingly-never-ending touring schedule.
This will also see Rusko play his first weekend date in Scotland since 2009 and a first in the capital!
The Prime Minister, David Cameron has posted the following message to all Scots:-
“For centuries, Scotland’s greatest asset and greatest export has been its people.
“Scotland’s people are international in their outlook and have taken their flair, inventiveness and determination to succeed to the four corners of the globe. Scots are aspirational for themselves and their country.
“Scots have helped bring peace and security to nations, made some of the world’s greatest inventions, and been at the forefront of international trade in every continent.
“Scottish companies and Scottish people are a critical part of the UK’s efforts to compete in the global race.
“A small country with a big heart and a big voice. Scots and Scotland have done so much to shape our modern world. So this is a day for everyone to celebrate our shared history and look forward to our future prosperity together.
“A happy St Andrew’s Day to all Scots – wherever you are.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
