HAPPY ST ANDREW’S DAY, EUROPE!
WITH LOVE FROM SCOTLAND
HAPPY ST ANDREW’S DAY, EUROPE!
WITH LOVE FROM SCOTLAND
Andrews of Europe welcomed to St Andrews to celebrate St Andrew’s Day
Watch the video now on visitscotland.com
Scotland’s got a thing about Andrews. Saint Andrew is, after all, the patron saint and Andy Murray, well, he’s world number one now. Taking inspiration from 1st century Andrew, renowned for being caring, generous and connected to others, and a very modern Andy Murray, known for sheer guts, determination and resilience, VisitScotland wanted to share all of these very Scottish characteristics with European friends in 2016. So, in celebration of St Andrew’s Day (30 November), and all things Andrew, VisitScotland took to the streets of London, Paris, Berlin and Dublin to find Andrews, and all variations of the name, both male and female, from Andrea to Andre, and welcomed them to St Andrews to experience the true spirit of Scotland.
VisitScotland took Scotland to Europe with a kilted VisitScotland crew, so as to be easily spotted, who scoured the streets in search of Andrews. In London, the group were found asking for Andrews on The Millennium Bridge and in front of Westminster, seeking the help of tourists and locals alike, eventually surprising one Andrew at his home and one at Blackfriars tube station. The reactions of the Andrews captured on screen are priceless, so too are the reactions of those commuters who happened to get caught up in all!
Here’s what happened next…
In total, the crew invited twenty-one Andrews, and their loved ones, to come to St Andrews and join the St Andrew’s Day festivities on 25 – 27 November. As special guests of the nation, the Andrews had the opportunity to take part in their very own Highland Games on West Sands, the beach famous for featuring in Chariots of Fire. As befits the Home of Golf, the Andrews got the chance to test their swing on the golf course, feast on cracking food and drink and try their hand at land yachting.
Getting into the party spirit, our European pals took part in the world’s largest St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh, seeing old traditions alive and kicking on a jumping Market Street, dancing and laughing with the St Andrews locals. Welcomed to such an extent by the community of St Andrews, the Andrews were even invited to turn on the St Andrews Christmas lights; a true celebrity welcome!
The beauty of the weekend lies in Andrews, from across Europe, coming together to share a great weekend with the people of St Andrews, all in celebration of the day of their namesake. With old traditions meeting the modern, a fiercely warm welcome from the Scots, one to make old Saint Andrew proud, and the sun shining on the beautiful town of St Andrews; the weekend was one our European friends will never forget.
Andrew McCracken, from London, said:
“Seeing a troupe of kilt-clad Scots men and women walking down the platform at Blackfriars tube station isn’t an everyday experience! I’m not sure the other commuters knew what to make of it, especially when the bagpipes fired up! It definitely brings a smile to my face as I pass through the station each morning.”
Andrew Stuck, from London, said:
“It’s been amazing, really great fun. People in Scotland are so welcoming. My mother’s family was from Glasgow and she named me Andrew to keep the Scottish connection. I feel like I’ve only really scratched the surface of Scotland so I’ll have to come again.”
Andreas Hentze, from Berlin, said:
“This is my first trip to Scotland and I absolutely love it. St Andrews is a very beautiful town and I will definitely be coming back.”
Watch the film and share it now:
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For further information please contact:
Laura Mitchell: [email protected]: 0131 472 2043
Downloadable Photos
Notes to editors
About VisitScotland
- VisitScotland launched its global Spirit of Scotland campaign in 2016. To find out more, go to www.visitscotland.com. Join the conversation by using #ScotSpirit
- Spirit of Scotland PR activity is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.
- VisitScotland’s Community site was set up for the Scottish public to help, engage and enthuse potential visitors about the country. To get involved go to: www.visitscotland.com/community
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
St Andrew’s Day
- St Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s national day on 30th November, and all communities and people living here are encouraged to come together and celebrate.
- A Galilean fisherman, Andrew the Apostle has been the patron saint of Scotland since 1320, at the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. He is also the patron saint of Greece, Russia, Romania and Barbados. Find out more: www.visitscotland.com/about/uniquely-scottish/st-andrews-the-saltire/
- There are many ways to celebrate. A wide range of events are taking place on Wednesday 30 November and a number of visitor attractions across Scotland will also be opening their doors to offer free or discounted entry. There are also many ways to celebrate St Andrew’s Day at home by bringing friends and family together to share food.
- St Andrew embodied all the characteristics Scots are globally renowned for: caring, resilient, generous, empathetic, strong and connected to others and this St Andrew’s Day presents an incredible opportunity to keep the spirit of St Andrew alive by sharing or giving to others.
- A digital handbook with all the details and opportunities to get involved will be available on www.scotland.org/winter
- Join people and community groups all over Scotland and beyond in coming together this St Andrew’s Day by sharing your celebration on social media and including #ourstandrewsday
- Wherever you are in the world, you can join us in celebrating St Andrew’s Day – from the United States and Canada to Australia, from Beijing to Bangladesh. Those who want to learn more about the traditional celebrations are encouraged to visit www.scotland.org/standrewsday
- The Scotland’s Winter Festivals event fund is managed by EventScotland.
PLEASE NOTE
This copy was correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained herewith, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.