Culture Secretary announces St Andrew’s Day celebrations

Biggest ever programme of events and offers for national day.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, was at the glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh today to encourage Scots to get out and about this St Andrew’s Day and take advantage of the wealth of offers and activities to celebrate Scotland’s national day on 30 November.

Ms Hyslop was joined by Olive Fraser (age 3) and Cory Walker (age 4) as they explored the Glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden, one of over 170 offers across 130 venues in Scotland running free and discounted entry to mark St Andrew’s Day. You can find out more about what is on in Edinburgh here.

With all participating venues either offering 2 for 1, kids go free or free entry, there are a huge variety of fun days out to choose from across the country, spanning the Highlands to the Borders, from Orkney to Oban. Many of Scotland’s best loved visitor and leisure attractions are taking part, including the Edinburgh Dungeon, the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary in Oban, the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre in Dumfries and House for an Art Lover in Glasgow, with many of the offers allowing families to enjoy a day out for almost half the price.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs said:-“St Andrew’s Day is the perfect opportunity for Scots and Scots at heart around the world to celebrate all that is great about our nation – including our thriving contemporary culture, our rich heritage and our warm and friendly welcome.

“What better way to enjoy our National Day than to gather together friends and family to explore what’s on offer? We want Scots to take advantage of the diverse range of events and activities on their doorstep and celebrate a fun-filled St Andrew’s Day out this year.”

The unveiling of the St Andrew’s Day Out activity follows the recent funding announcement from The Scottish Government confirming its investment of £350,000 in Scotland’s Winter Festival Programme – kicking off on St Andrew’s Day, running through Christmas and Hogmanay and culminating in Burns Night – celebrating the country’s distinct culture, heritage and creativity.

The funded programme encompasses 19 events across the country, seven of which are specifically St Andrew’s Day celebrations. Highlights of the programme include a month-long food and drink festival held in St Andrews as well as major city-based celebrations in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and Glasgow’s George Square.

A full list of over 170 offers across 130 venues can be found online at www.scotland.org/fun

For more information on what is happening across Scotland during winter, visit www.scotland.org/winter