The Waverley Gazette

Happy St Andrew's Day 30 November 2020

St Andrew's Day is today!

St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. Scotland is in good company as he is also the patron saint of Romania, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Barbados, and the Amalfi coast. Patron saints are chosen to be special protectors or guardians over things.

These days Scotland mostly (when not locked down) marks the days with small evening celebrations of culture with traditional food, music and some Scottish dancing.

Outside this Covid period, traditional Scottish recipes are served at dinners, and would feature foods such as Cullen Skink (fish soup), haggis or vegetarian haggis.

Why St Andrew?

Not that much is known about St Andrew. It is thought he was born between the years 5 AD and 10 AD and according to the New Testament he went on to become one of the 12 disciples of Jesus. Andrew lived in Galilee with his brother Simon Peter. Why was he chosen? Legend says it was because of a battle.

The story behind the St Andrews Cross, or the Saltire: Legend has it that the battle took place in the year 832 AD. An army of Picts led by Angus mac Fergus, High King of Alba, and aided by a contingent of Scots, had been on a raid, and were caught by a larger force of Angles and Saxons. As they stood to face them, near what is now East Linton, King Angus prayed for deliverance. Legend has it he saw in the sky some clouds that formed a white saltire. The white saltire was the cross on which St Andrew had been martyred.

The king vowed that if, with the saint’s help, he gained victory, then Andrew would thereafter be the patron saint of Scotland. The Scots did win, and the Saltire became the flag of Scotland.

Leaping forward some years, we find Kenneth mac Alpin uniting the Picts and the Scots, to become Scotland, and according to national myth, becoming the first king of Scots. Andrew then became the patron saint of Scotland. Known now as Kenneth 1, mac Alpin was buried on Iona in 860.

The MacAlpine name is recorded several times in various forms from 1260. https://www.kinlochanderson.com/tartan/MacAlpine

The St Andrews Cross, or Saltire, is Scotland’s national flag.

Scotland has two flags. The Saltire and the Lion Rampant. The Lion Rampant is the Royal Standard of the King or Queen of Scots and is the personal banner of the monarchs. The lion shown is red on a yellow background. The lion is rearing up, looking left, with three of its clawed paws outstretched as if in battle.

Links: https://scottishflagtrust.com/the-flag-heritage-centre/the-legend-of-the-saltire/