Happy St Andrew’s Day

For Scottish people all over the world, St Andrew’s Day – also known as ‘Andermas’ or ‘the Feast of Saint Andrew’ – is a time to think of home, celebrate and feast with friends old and new, across the world. But who is Scotland’s patron saint, and why do we celebrate him?

Who is St Andrew?

According to Christian teachings, St Andrew, a fisherman from Galilee, was one of the first of twelve people chosen as disciples of Jesus Christ. Once an apostle of Christ, he is said to have travelled far and wide, on a quest for knowledge and to spread the word of God.

St Andrew was made patron saint in 1320 when Scotland declared independence with the Declaration of Arbroath, and since then St Andrew has become an integral part of Scottish society.

Following his death in Greece, relics of St Andrew landed in Scotland, including a kneecap and a finger bone, however, there are various versions of this story. In one religious tale, an angel instructed Saint Rule to take these relics and travel west by ship and wherever he would be shipwrecked, Saint Rule was to establish a church. Saint Rule’s ship was, indeed, driven ashore into the small coastal village of Kilrymont, which was eventually renamed St. Andrews and became a significant pilgrimage site for Christians.

St. Andrews Cathedral was built to hold the relics in 1318, but both the cathedral and the relics were destroyed in the Scottish Reformation. To make up for this, the Archbishop of Amalfi gifted a piece of St Andrew’s shoulder blade, so that a part of the saint would remain in Scotland forever.

Why is he the patron saint of Scotland and why do we celebrate him?

Ironically, Scotland’s patron saint likely never set foot on its shores, but the reason St Andrew has become so important for Scotland is that he encapsulates characteristics found in the Scottish people. He had a modest upbringing and was known though his entire life for being generous; his philosophy was to share everything he had with those less fortunate.

What might surprise you is that the tradition of celebrating on the 30th of November was not started in Scotland, but by a group of Scots in the US who were keen to reconnect with their roots. However, never one to pass up an opportunity for a celebration (or ceilidh), those in Scotland weren’t far behind! Today St Andrew’s Day is an official bank holiday and is celebrated across the world.

Wherever you are and however you celebrate, the Tower Mains team wishes you a happy St Andrew’s Day.

Sláinte!