AT 2006 On 30 November, Scottish People celebrate St Andrew’s Day. The Scottish flag is the cross of St Andrew, also known as the Saltire. It is said to be one of the oldest national flags of any country, dating back at least to the 12 th Century.

AT 2006 The St Andrew's flag - or the Saltire - is flown all over Scotland, but the man and his day are often neglected. However, St Andrew's Day celebrations on the 30th November are growing in popularity and, from next year, it will be a public holiday in Scotland.

AT 2006 St. Andrew Andrew was a brother of the apostle Peter and a follower of John the Baptist. Like his brother he was a fisherman. Andrew immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah and later was chosen by Him to be one of His Twelve Apostles.

AT 2006 St Andrew was one of the Twelve Apostles and brother of Simon Peter. He was a fisherman by trade who lived in Galilee (present day Israel) The Bible tells us that one day when Andrew and Peter were fishing, Jesus called to them and said ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men

AT 2006 Andrew was present at the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the Last Supper, he witnessed the Ascension and he beheld the risen Jesus. Andrew shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost and he helped establish the Faith.

AT 2006 St Andrew: The Missionary After Jesus died on the cross, Andrew travelled the world telling people all about Jesus and Heaven. When he was in Greece he was sentenced to death on The Cross by The Romans as they didn’t agree with his beliefs. Andrew told them he was not good enough to die in the same way as Jesus so he was crucified on an X shaped Cross. Some say he was crucified upside down so he could only see the sky. Some people believe that is why the St Andrew’s Cross is on a blue background to represent the sky. Legend has it that people listened to him preach while he was dying.

AT 2006 St Andrew One legend says an angel appeared to a monk called Rule in AD345 who told him to move Andrew’s remains ‘to the ends of the Earth’ to keep them safe. He took a few bones and teeth and set sail. He was shipwrecked and ended up on the east coast of Scotland at the town we now call St Andrew’s.

AT 2006 St Andrew’s Cathedral Whatever the truth, a Cathedral was built in the town in 1160 and it took 158 years to complete! The ruins can still be seen today – including St Rule’s Tower

AT 2006 Why the Saltire? Legend has it that in AD832, before King Angus McFergus led his troops into battle against a much larger English Army, he had a dream. St Andrew appeared to him and told him he would win if his men carried a blue flag with a white cross. Another legend says a white cross made from clouds appeared in the sky before the battle Angus promised that he would make Andrew the Patron Saint if he won the battle – he won!

AT 2006 The Patron Saint of Scotland St Andrew was the unofficial patron saint of Scotland by the year 1000 but he was officially recognised on 6 April 1320 at the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. After years of fighting with England, Some noblemen, including Robert The Bruce, wrote a letter to Pope John XXII asking for Scotland to be recognised as a free country Andrew was named as the official Patron Saint because he was the Saint who brought Christianity to Scotland – a sure sign that Scotland was held in very high regard by God!

AT 2006 Facts, Customs and Traditions St. Andrew's Day is connected with Advent, which begins on the first Sunday after November 30. St. Andrew's Day marks the opening of Christmas Markets Many Midwinter customs and folk superstitions are also connected to St. Andrew's day.

AT 2006 Around midnight on Nov. 29, the day before St Andrew's Day, it was traditional for girls to pray to St. Andrew for a husband. They would make a wish and look for a sign that they had been heard.

AT 2006 A girl wishing to marry could: Throw a shoe at a door. If the toe of the shoe pointed in the direction of the exit, then she would marry and leave her parents' house within a year. Peel a whole apple without breaking the peel and throw the peel over the shoulder. If the peel formed a letter of the alphabet, then this suggested the name of her future groom.

AT 2006 St Andrew’s Day St Andrew’s Day is celebrated around the World in Christian Countries. In Scotland we celebrate with traditional songs, poems, dances and food like shortbread and oatcakes. We might decorate our homes with tartan and thistles – which is the National emblem of Scotland.

AT 2006 How, you may ask, did such a thorny flower become a national emblem ? Well, so the story goes, a very long time ago when Scotland was ravaged by Viking invaders, a group of Scottish fighting men were resting overnight in a field. Unknown to them, a raiding party was preparing to attack this group of Scots, under cover of darkness. As the attacking Vikings approached the encamped Scots, they stood on a patch of Thistles with their bare feet and, of course, let out cries of pain as the thorns dug deep into their soles and toes. The Scots, having been awakened by this rammy, were able to fight off the attackers. So, from that day, the Thistle has been adopted as Scotland‘s National Emblem.

AT 2006 Remember ….. This is a day to be proud to be Scottish and to remember that Scots are known as some of the friendliest people in the world. We can remember the old battles against other countries but know that Scotland is a better place because of the all the different people, cultures and religions that make us a great country!

AT 2006 What do you love about Scotland? What makes you proud?