St. Andrew’s Day is known as the national day for Scotland. It is celebrated annually on November 30. St. Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland (along with Romania, Greece, and Russia), but he has a larger cultural impact in Scotland.

St. Andrew was originally one of the twelve apostles of Christ. He was a fisherman along with his brother Simon Peter (also known as St. Peter, another apostle), both living and working in Galilee (now present day Israel). On November 30 of the year 60 AD, St. Andrew was believed to have been crucified on a diagonal cross, which led to the inspiration to the flag of Scotland, called The Saltire.

St. Andrew’s Day is a day to celebrate Scottish culture and to celebrate the life of St. Andrew. There is singing, dancing, parades, bagpipes, and food like Cullen Skink (smoked fish soup with leeks and potato) and haggis. St. Andrews Day is considered a Bank Holiday in Scotland and marks the beginning of Scotland’s Winter Festivals, including Hogmanay and Burns Night. The holiday is not only celebrated in Scotland but by anyone in the world who has Scottish ties, by blood or heart!

-CD