St Andrew's Day
St Andrew's Day is a Scottish bank holiday observed on 30 November. It is the feast day of Scotland's patron saint and became a designated public holiday in 2007.
When is St Andrew's Day?
| Year | Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 November 2026 | Monday | St Andrew's Day 2026 |
| 2027 | 30 November 2027 | Tuesday | St Andrew's Day 2027 |
| 2028 | 30 November 2028 | Thursday | St Andrew's Day 2028 |
History
St Andrew has been Scotland’s patron saint since at least the 9th century. The Scottish flag — the saltire — is the cross on which he is traditionally said to have been martyred. Despite this centuries-old patronage, 30 November was not a Scottish public holiday until 2007, when MSP Dennis Canavan’s St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act became law.
Traditions
The day is marked with Scottish music, dance and food: ceilidh dances, haggis suppers, and renditions of A Man’s a Man for A’ That are common centrepieces. Scottish heritage sites and castles often hold special events. The Scotland national rugby team frequently plays a fixture at Murrayfield in late November to coincide.
Observance
Banks and Scottish government offices observe the closure if 30 November is a weekday. If 30 November falls at a weekend, the substitute is granted on the following Monday. Many private-sector Scottish employers do not give the day off as paid leave — uptake is patchier than for the other Scottish bank holidays.
Where it is observed
St Andrew's Day is a bank holiday in Scotland.