St. Andrew’s Day in the Highlands And Much More About This Day
St. Andrew Day is commemorated every year in many countries, including Scotland. The celebration date is 30th November, and Scots consider this day a religious day, which is why it is a feast day as well. Today’s article aims to tell you about the traditional and modern celebrations of this particular day. Discussion starts with the introduction of St. Andrew and his connection with Scotland. So, proceed without lingering.
Who was St. Andrew?
Before we discuss the history of St. Andrew’s Day, let us tell you a little about this patron saint. St. Andrew was born between 5 and 10 AD in Bethsaida in Galilee, which is now called Israel. As an apostle to Jesus, he visited many places (cities and countries) and preached his beliefs. His teaching endured long after his martyrdom, and that’s how he became a saint in many places, including Scotland, where he did not even land once.
St. Andrew had a brother named Peter, who also became an apostle later. Both of them were fishermen. Moreover, they were the first to immediately honor Jesus, and they remained his closest disciple.
Crucifixion of St. Andrew
Being the direct and immediate apostle of Jesus, St Andrew was also crucified like him. In 60 AD, a Roman governor, Aegeas, ordered Saint Andrew’s crucifixion in Greece, where he was hanged for 3 days. Ropes were used to hang him instead of nails on an x-shaped cross. It is said that he kept on preaching even at the last moment before his death.
Saint Andrew and Scotland
The remains of St. Andrew was transported to other countries over time in different circumstances. Around 357 AD, Roman emperor Constantius II ordered his remains from Patras to Constantinople, which is now Istanbul, according to Historyhit. Another event of his remaining transportation is connected with a Greek monk, “Regulus.” He transported the body’s remains to Scotland, where a person named Bishop Acca of Hexham, a religious collector, purchased his remains in 732 AD.
Another connection of St. Andrew with Scotland arose in the Declaration of Arbroath, when he was announced as the protector of Scotland. The Scottish barons wrote this letter to Pope John XXII, who officially excluded Robert The Bruce. In the letter, it was suggested to obtain freedom from England and show a commitment to Christianity. Moreover, St. Andrew was announced as the protector of Scotland.
Celebrations of St. Andrew Day
St. Andrew Day is an important day in Scotland, even in the entire Highlands, just like Hogmanay and Christmas evenings. Its celebration signals the arrival of winter festivals. Scots have just a few celebrations for this day, which are mentioned below.
Saltire Flag
Do you know why the Scottish flag is called saltire? Because the word “saltire” is a heraldic term for a diagonal cross, which is the shape of the white cross on the flag. The history of this name traces back to the 60th AD, when St. Andrew was hanged on a diagonal cross. The cross on the flag with a blue background is called the St. Andrew cross. On 30th November, the flags are seen everywhere.
Ceilidh
Scots are culture-oriented and ensure that they celebrate their heritage in traditional ways. That’s why they wear tartan kilts on every occasion to represent their identity. They do the same on St. Andrew’s Day and celebrate different social gatherings, including dancing with bagpipes, listening to traditional music, storytelling, etc.
Highlanders consider this day a way to serve others and showcase fun and their hospitality. People go for walks with their friends, telling jokes to each other. They sing traditional songs like Robert Burns’s “Auld Song” or Caledonia and a long ancient poem by Dougie Maclean.
Traditional Scottish Foods
Making traditional foods and serving others, such as family and friends, at any event is the favorite hobby of Scots. Moreover, this day is celebrated as a feast day, and how can they keep food aside for this event? So, they ensure serving their loved ones with traditional foods. Some conventional foods are haggis, neeps, Cullen skink, etc. Likewise, they decorate their tables with oatmeal and whisky as well.
St Andrew’s Day Parades
St. Andrew Day parades are very common throughout the country, whether in a small town or a major city like Glasgow or Edinburgh. People from entire countries leave their houses wearing their traditional attire. The streets of the whole country are filled with vibrant colors. Similarly, traditional melodies amuse the hearing thanks to people parading with bagpipes.
Conclusion
St. Andrew Day in Scotland is a dignified event, and Scots celebrate this religious event openly. St. Andrew was the closest apostle of Jesus. He opened his eyes in Israel and was killed brutally by a Roman governor. He was hanged on a Christian cross, just like Jesus, and that diagonal cross became the identity of the Scots. Now, they use the same cross on their flag. This day is of great importance in Highland. That’s why ceremonies like parades, saltire flags, and Ceilidh occur everywhere.
