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St. Andrew’s Day 2017 - Celebrate & Remember the Patron Saint of Scotland

St. Andrew’s Day 2017 - Celebrate & Remember the Patron Saint of Scotland

Today is St Andrew's Day - Giving people the chance to celebrate and remember the patron saint of Scotland.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Saint Andrew's Day is Scotland's official national day, celebrated on 30th November every year. If you're feeling adventurous, in Gaelic the day is called "Là Naomh Anndrais" - don't ask me to pronounce this tho.

Interesting fact for you, the Scottish Government's flag-flying regulations state that the Scotland flag (the Saltire) shall fly on all its buildings with a flagpole on this day.

In Scotland and a number of other countries who have Scottish connections, Saint Andrew's Day is celebrated with a range of traditions like Scottish 'scran', music and highland dancing.

The day is also being marked by a special Google Doodle.


Google Doodle St Andrew
Google Doodle St Andrew

Credit: Google

The doodle was drawn by Johanna Basford, an Aberdeenshire artist is known for her intricate adult colouring books. Google's official description for the image is: "A procession of beloved Scottish symbols, each with a special link to the country's rich heritage and mythology".

Who was St Andrew?

St Andrew was not actually from Scotland, 'Andrew the Apostle' was a fisherman from a place called Galilee in Israel. He was the brother of Saint Peter and was named as one of Jesus' twelve disciples. It is believed that Saint Andrew died on a diagonal cross, similar to the ones used in Roman executions.

St Andrew is not t the patron saint of Scotland but also Greece, Romania and Russia.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who was calling on Scots to mark St Andrew's Day by performing an act of kindness. Credit: PA.

Featured Image Credit: PA