St Andrews Day is a day to celebrate Scotland – and to learn what being Scottish in the 21st century means, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

The First Minister was speaking at the launch of the St Andrew’s Day and Winter Festival at St Margaret’s Primary School in Loanhead, Midlothian, along with Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Also joining the celebration was Scots singer songwriter Sandi Thom and schoolchildren from St Margaret’s.

Scotland’s Winter Festival runs from November, with celebrations around the country from St Andrew’s Day on 30 November through to Burns Season at the end of January and features a number of events aimed at celebrating Scotland in the 21st century.

This year’s Winter Festival promises to put Scotland on the map throughout  the winter months, starting on St.Andrew’s day with events taking place in all six of Scotland’s cities and around the world.

Highlights for St Andrew’s Day include:

• Events across Scotland cities, including Glasgow’s Shindig in the Square, Edinburgh’s Jig in the Gardens, a Doric Cabaret Evening in Aberdeen, music, dancing and food in Dundee, a ceilidh in Stirling and living history displays on the Culloden Battlefield in Inverness.
• International events including balls, dinners, lectures and concerts from Abu Dhabi to Washington.
• Young people getting involved, with resource packs sent to all schools and pre-schools with ideas on how to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day.
• A Scottish Universities debate on the issue of Scottish identity in Edinburgh and a conference on national days at Glasgow Caledonian University.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“St Andrew’s Day is a celebration of  Scotland at home and abroad.  It is a chance to enjoy the multi-cultural Scotland we have become. But it’s more than an excuse for a party – it’s an opportunity to celebrate our history and our talents. Sandi Thom, who joins me today, is a great example of some of that talent.

“I am particularly delighted to launch our Winter Festival programme at a school – because it is only by ensuring our children understand the significance of St Andrew’s Day that we will guarantee our nation’s story can be told to future generations.

“Educational centres across Scotland are joining in the St Andrew’s Day celebrations, with many theming the day’s activities around the many cultures that make up Scotland’s people.

“St Andrew’s Day is the start of the Winter Festival calendar. Over one hundred events will be held over the 2 months. Details of some are available now – others will be announced over coming weeks.

“It has been said that while the winter in Scotland may be a few degrees colder, the welcome people receive in Scotland is a few degrees warmer. We invite everyone to celebrate our national day – whether here in Scotland or overseas.

“Scotland has a proud history – and through occasions such as these we can help ensure Scotland has a proud and confident future.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said:

“St Andrew's Day is for all of Scotland but our children have a special role to play, injecting excitement and energy into the celebrations.

“That’s why young people are at the core of our St. Andrew’s Day plans. We want them to recognise and celebrate in their own success as they help us mark Scotland’s diverse and vibrant culture.

“Young people across the country are planning a host of lively activities for the national celebrations and we’ll be keeping a keen eye on all their fun-packed festivities.”

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. Events will take place in all six Scottish cities and around the world.  For more details about what’s on, visit www.scotland.org
2. To get young people involved in the St. Andrew’s Day celebrations, flyers were sent to all Scottish schools and pre-schools. Packs containing flags and other material were sent to all pre-schools and student associations.
3. Websites have been set up to allow young people to showcase their events and celebrations and to provide additional resources to help teachers.