St Andrew's Day

30 November 2022|Read time 2 mins

St Andrew is Scotland's patron saint and is celebrated each year on 30th November.

The name Andrew has associations with the word strong. Whether the fisherman himself was strong in a physical sense sparks quite a debate amongst fellow Scotsmen.

What we do know however, is that Saint Andrew possessed fantastic communication and social skills, which lead to his sainthood to this day.

Celebrate St Andrew's Day in Edinburgh

Saint Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland and he was used as an appeal to the Church for the country’s protection in 1320.

The appeal was to keep inhabitants safe from the invading Englishmen, and the Kings who wished to conquer Scotland.

It is said that William Wallace and Robert the Bruce also appealed to Saint Andrew to guide them in their fight against the English.

The Scottish Flag

The Scottish Flag, officially named the Saltire, is known as the St. Andrew's cross.

Blue with a white Saltire (or 'cross with diagonal bars of equal length'), the flag’s name comes from the legend that St. Andrew was crucified on the same cross at Patras, as he considered himself unworthy of being crucified on the same type of cross at Jesus Christ.

There is another flag, only used by royalty, called the Royal Banner of Scotland or, more commonly, the Lion Rampant of Scotland. This flag is mainly yellow and features a red border and a red lion.

Modern-day Saint Andrew's day

For those who didn’t know, St. Andrew's day falls at the end of November, on the 30th of the month.

Here in the capital, the day itself is a big affair.

The celebrations are widely spread throughout Edinburgh, with many attractions offering a whole host of free things to do.

We’ve listed the must-do activities in Edinburgh around the time of St. Andrew's day.

Edinburgh Castle

What better way to enjoy St Andrew's Day than at the glorious Edinburgh Castle?

From the stunning Great Hall to the fascinating military museums, there is plenty to explore.

There is also the world-famous 1pm gun blast; children will love seeing the cannons being fired!

St Giles' Cathedral

St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile is an important part of Edinburgh's skyline and an even more important part of the city's history.

In 1559 John Knox became minister here and led the Scottish Reformation.

More recently, St Giles' witnessed another significant moment in our country's history as Queen Elizabeth II was laid at rest before being taken to Westminster and her final resting place.

Entry to St Giles' is free, with a suggested donation, and also offers the opportunity to visit the Thistle Chapel.

This is home to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland's highest order of chivalry who usually meet at the cathedral each year around St Andrew's Day.

Discover a love for haggis

Haggis is a local delicacy eaten throughout the year, but especially enjoyed on St. Andrew's Day.

If you don't want to cook it at home, or unsure of how to get the best from it, visit one of Edinburgh's fantastic restaurants.

There are a wealth of restaurants across Edinburgh to discover new and traditional recipes for this much loved dish. 

Book a self-catering holiday let for St Andrew's Day

Book with Reserve Apartments and enjoy all that our capital has to offer on Scotland's national day and throughout the year.