Remember, remember 30th November

SCOTS and their descendents around the world celebrate their heritage on November 30.

However, for many in Scotland that day passes without much note, here people go to work as usual, do not plan to get together with friends and family, or organise special meals and do not fathom why expatriate Scots feel drawn to celebrate November 30, which people in Scotland often forget is St Andrews day.

You may be forgiven for thinking that the Scottish people do not care, but many do and feel that this day should be noted as a full puplic holiday to lift its level in the public consciousness helping to promote their country in general.
However, with only a vouluntry public holiday to support its importance, many people just get on with their busy lives and give no thought to celebrating their Scottishness.

Opinion polls have revealed that a mere 22 per cent of Scots actually remember that St Andrew’s day falls on November 30.

This is in direct opposition to the Irish, who not only gregariously celebrate St Patrick’s day on March 17, but also magnanimously allow the rest of the world to join in if they wish.

A sea of green supports this holiday around the globe from America to Australia and many themed Irish bars in between.
It is clear looking at the example of our Irish cousins in celebrating their national Saint’s day that the Scottish report card is reading could do better.
Although the memory of Burns should be kept alive and well many feel that St Andrew’s day with its ancient pedigree and timing during the year is far more apt for the national holiday.

No one is sure when St Andrew’s day was first celebrated, but it has been around for about 1,000 years.
Andrew was brother to St Peter and among the first of the disciples.

In AD70 he was martyred in Greece on an X-shaped cross, which is now symbolised in Scotland’s Saltire flag.
The Saint never stepped foot in Scotland, but many stories are told of how his remains came to be here.

One legend says that in the 4th century a Greek monk named, St Regulus dreamed that the saint’s remains were in danger and he should take them to the ends of the earth to keep them safe.

He started out on his journey of safe-keeping and eventually, due to shipwreck, ended up on the east coast of Scotland at a place called Kilrymont, now known as St Andrews.
No matter which of the many stories are correct the Scots adopted the Saint for their own.
His day became November 30, which heralds the beginning of the Scottish winter.
This is a bleak time of the year, with short days and cold heavy grey skies, with Christmas still some way off St Andrew’s day is clearly ripe for a hearty celebration.