St. Andrew’s Day Celebrations – National – Scotland 2025

Background & History

St. Andrew’s Day, celebrated on 30 November 2025, is Scotland’s national day, honouring its patron saint, Saint Andrew, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, martyred on an X-shaped cross (the Saltire) in 60 AD. Recognised as Scotland’s patron saint since the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, the day has been celebrated for over a millennium, officially becoming a bank holiday in 2006. The Saltire flag, a white cross on a blue background, flies across Scotland, symbolising national pride.

Festivities include ceilidhs, traditional food (haggis, neeps, tatties), and music, marking the start of Scotland’s winter festival season, alongside Hogmanay and Burns Night. Events occur nationwide, with major celebrations in St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, showcasing Scottish culture globally.

Event Highlights

• Ceilidh Dancing: Traditional Scottish dancing at events in St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow (30 Nov, mostly free, some ticketed ~$6.75–$13.50 USD, speculative).
• Artisan Markets: Local food, crafts, and whisky tastings (e.g., Perth Museum, St Andrews, 30 Nov, free entry, food ~$3–$10 USD).
• Torchlight Processions: Glasgow’s West End and St Andrews feature charity-focused processions (30 Nov, free, donations ~$2.50–$12.50 USD).
• Free Castle Entry: Historic Scotland offers free admission to Edinburgh Castle, St Andrews Castle, and the Cathedral (30 Nov, normally $10–$20 USD).
• Live Music & Performances: Bagpipes, fiddles, and modern bands (e.g., St Andrews week-long festival, 28 Nov–30 Nov, mostly free).
• Food & Drink Events: Haggis, cullen skink, cranachan, and whisky tastings (nationwide, ~$5–$15 USD, speculative).

Date & Duration

• Date: 30 November 2025 (Sunday, bank holiday moved to Monday, 1 December 2025).
• Duration: 1 day (some areas, e.g., St Andrews, host week-long events, 28 Nov–30 Nov).
• Opening Times (Speculative, based on 2024):
  • Main events: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (varies by location).
  • St Andrews festival: 28 Nov (evening) to 30 Nov (all day).
• Note: Schedules vary by city. Check www.visitscotland.com or local council websites (e.g., www.fife.gov.uk for St Andrews) by October 2025.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues (Key Cities):
  • St Andrews: Town centre, Market Street, KY16 9NU (week-long festival, markets, ceilidhs).
  • Edinburgh: City centre, George Street/Princes Street, EH2 3YB (storytelling, markets, castle entry).
  • Glasgow: West End, Byres Road, G12 8QX (torchlight procession, shindig in George Square).
• Secondary Venues: Nationwide events at castles (e.g., Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG), community halls, and pubs.
• Administrative Contact: VisitScotland, 94 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JH; info@visitscotland.com.
• Note: Accessibility varies; St Andrews and Edinburgh centres are mostly paved, Glasgow’s West End has uneven areas. Contact info@visitscotland.com for details. Parking: St Andrews (South Street, KY16 9QR, ~$2–$5 USD/day); Edinburgh (Castle Terrace, EH1 2DP); Glasgow (Kelvingrove, G3 8AG). Maps at www.visitscotland.com.

Contact Information

• Email: info@visitscotland.com.
• Phone: +44 131 472 2222 (VisitScotland, speculative).
• Website: www.visitscotland.com (national events, October 2025 updates).
• Social Media: @VisitScotland (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X). Newsletter signup at www.visitscotland.com.
• Ticketing: Most events free; ticketed events (e.g., ceilidhs, tastings) via local councils or www.visitscotland.com (TBD October 2025). On-site tickets where applicable.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Most events are free (e.g., processions, castle entry). Ticketed events (ceilidhs, tastings) via www.visitscotland.com or local venues (e.g., www.fife.gov.uk for St Andrews). Booking fees ~$1–$2 USD, speculative. Cash/card accepted. Concessions for ages 5–15, over-65s; under-5s free.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.35 USD, Speculative):
  • General Admission: Free for processions, markets, and castle entry.
  • Ceilidhs: ~£5–£10 ≈ $6.75–$13.50 USD (e.g., St Andrews open-air ceilidh).
  • Food/Whisky Tastings: ~£5–£15 ≈ $6.75–$20.25 USD (e.g., Perth Museum).
  • Programme: ~£3–£5 ≈ $4–$6.75 USD (on-site, cash, speculative).
  • Donations: Optional, $2.50–$12.50 USD for charities (e.g., Glasgow procession).
• Ticket Range:
  • GBP: Free to ~£15 (speculative).
  • USD: ~$0 to ~$20.25 USD.
• Additional Notes: Pricing speculative, based on 2024 trends (web:2, web:5) and Stranraer Oyster Festival (8/21/2025). Exchange rate per provided data (1.3491, Reuters). Check www.visitscotland.com for updates.

Cultural Experience

St. Andrew’s Day celebrates Scotland’s patron saint and national identity with ceilidhs, bagpipes, and traditional cuisine like haggis and cranachan. The Saltire flag, inspired by Andrew’s martyrdom, flies nationwide, with events in St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow showcasing Scottish heritage. The day fosters community pride and global Scottish diaspora connections, with free castle entry and cultural exhibitions.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venues: Stalls offer haggis, neeps, tatties, cullen skink, cranachan (~$5–$15 USD, speculative). Whisky and beer tastings (~$5–$10 USD, age 19+). Cash/card accepted.
• Nearby Dining (Key Cities):
  • St Andrews: The Bothy (5–7 Church Street, KY16 9NW, Scotland, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Edinburgh: The Witchery (352 Castlehill, EH1 2NF, fine dining, $15–$40 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Glasgow: Two Fat Ladies (88 Dumbarton Road, G11 6NX, seafood, $10–$30 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Whisky, beer at stalls (~$5–$10 USD, age 19+). Nearby pubs (e.g., St Andrews’ The Criterion, $5–$8 USD).

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free for under-5s; concessions (~$4–$10 USD, speculative) for ages 5–15. Activities include face painting, storytelling, and fairground rides (e.g., St Andrews, speculative). Supervision required for under-16s. Dogs welcome on leads.
• Accessibility:
  • City centres are mostly accessible; some areas (e.g., Glasgow’s West End) are uneven. Disabled toilets available. Contact info@visitscotland.com for details. Assistance animals welcome.

Getting There

• By Air: Edinburgh Airport (EDI, 50 miles from St Andrews, 30 miles from Edinburgh, 40 miles from Glasgow, 1–1.5-hour drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: St Andrews (Leuchars Station, 10-minute taxi; $10–$25 USD from Edinburgh); Edinburgh Waverley; Glasgow Queen Street ($10–$30 USD). Check www.scotrail.co.uk.
  • Bus: Stagecoach X59 (St Andrews, $5–$10 USD); Edinburgh/Glasgow city buses ($3–$8 USD). Check www.stagecoachbus.com.
• By Car: St Andrews (A91, South Street, KY16 9QR, ~$2–$5 USD/day); Edinburgh (Castle Terrace, EH1 2DP); Glasgow (Kelvingrove, G3 8AG). Car-sharing advised.
• By Bike/Foot: 5-minute walk from St Andrews bus station; Edinburgh/Glasgow city centres are walkable. Bike racks limited.
• By Taxi: St Andrews (+44 1334 477788, $15–$30 USD); Edinburgh/Glasgow Uber ($20–$40 USD). scotrail.co.uk stagecoachbus.com

Program Details

• October 2025: Full schedules at www.visitscotland.com or local councils (e.g., www.fife.gov.uk).
• 28–30 November (St Andrews, Speculative):
  • 28 Nov: Evening ceilidh, markets (~6:00 PM–10:00 PM, free/ticketed).
  • 29 Nov: Artisan markets, music, storytelling (10:00 AM–8:00 PM).
  • 30 Nov: Main celebrations, ceilidh, processions, castle entry (10:00 AM–10:00 PM).
• 30 November (Nationwide, Speculative):
  • Edinburgh: Storytelling, markets, castle entry (10:00 AM–6:00 PM, free).
  • Glasgow: Torchlight procession, George Square shindig (6:00 PM–9:00 PM, free).
• Note: Schedules speculative, based on 2024. Full details October 2025.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024: St Andrews week-long festival with pipe bands, ceilidhs; Glasgow torchlight procession raised ~£5,000 for charity; Edinburgh Castle lit blue.
• 2023: Nationwide events with ~50,000 attendees; free castle entry drew thousands.

Educational Impact

• Cultural Talks: Talks on St. Andrew and Scottish history (e.g., St Andrews, free, speculative).
• Programme: ~$4–$6.75 USD, includes history and maps (speculative).
• Exhibitions: Displays on Saltire origins and Scottish heritage (free, e.g., Edinburgh Castle).

Cultural Activities

• Ceilidhs: Traditional dancing (30 Nov, ~$6.75–$13.50 USD, speculative).
• Processions: Torchlit events in Glasgow, St Andrews (free, donations encouraged).
• Music: Bagpipes, fiddles, Gaelic songs (free with access).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Ticketed ceilidhs and tastings may sell out; check www.visitscotland.com (October 2025). Book accommodation 6–12 months via www.visitscotland.com.
• Weather Prep: November (35–45°F, rainy); bring waterproof gear, warm clothing.
• Explore Locally: St Andrews Cathedral (free, KY16 9QL); Edinburgh Castle ($20 USD, free 30 Nov); Glasgow Kelvingrove Museum (free, G3 8AG).
• Public Transport: ScotRail tickets ($10–$30 USD); Stagecoach smartcard ($3 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.visitscotland.com. visitscotland.com

Local Attractions

• St Andrews: Cathedral (free, KY16 9QL), Home of Golf (tours ~$15 USD).
• Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle ($20 USD, free 30 Nov, EH1 2NG).
• Glasgow: Kelvingrove Art Gallery (free, G3 8AG). visitscotland.com

Accommodation Options

• St Andrews: Rusacks Hotel ($100–$200 USD/night, KY16 9JQ, 5-minute walk).
• Edinburgh: Ibis Edinburgh Centre ($80–$150 USD/night, EH1 1YJ, 5-minute walk).
• Glasgow: Premier Inn Glasgow City ($60–$120 USD/night, G2 4DT, 5-minute walk).
• Airbnb: City centre apartments ($50–$100 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 6–12 months via www.visitscotland.com. visitscotland.com

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at main venues; hospitals: St Andrews (KY16 8AR, 2 miles); Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (EH16 4SA, 3 miles); Glasgow Royal Infirmary (G4 0SF, 2 miles).
• Security: Stewards at processions; no personal fireworks. Contact info@visitscotland.com.
• Health Protocols: Sanitiser stations; masks optional. Details TBD at www.visitscotland.com.