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St Andrew’s Day

St Andrew’s night heralds the traditional beginning of Scotland’s winter festival season, a time for friends, food, drink and celebration of the very best of Scottish culture.

Enjoy a spectacular fire performance by PyroCeltica at the front of the hotel at 17:00, followed by the rousing sound of Ballater Pipe Band at 18:30. The evening continues with live music in The Flying Stag from 19:30, plus curated cocktails and a special St Andrew’s menu in The Clunie Dining Room.

A full Scottish pipe band playing at night outside of the Fife Arms hotel lit up with fairy lights.
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Canapes on a wooden board being held by a waiter wearing a green tartan waistcoat.

How the Day Is Celebrated

The day is an official bank holiday and provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scottish culture and traditional cuisine and dance.

Typical St Andrew’s Day activities include plenty of food, drink, music and dancing, with festivities often lasting long into the night. Some traditional Scottish dishes to sample on St Andrew’s Day include Cullen skink (fish soup), haggis, neeps and tatties (swede and potatoes) and Cranachan (a Scottish dessert made from cream, raspberries, oats and whisky).

The exterior of the Fife Arms Hotel covered in snow and with the Scottish flag flying above the hotel.

Who is St Andrew?

Although St Andrew is Scotland’s patron saint, he wasn’t actually born in Scotland. It is widely believed that Andrew started life as a fisherman before he became one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, along with his brother Peter. Andrew then travelled far and wide to spread Jesus’ teachings, which may be how he came to be known in Scotland, although he may never have set foot in the country himself.

It is believed that when Scottish independence was declared in 1320, Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland. His story went on to shape many different aspects of Scottish culture, including the blue and white flag of Scotland, also known as the St Andrew’s Cross. St Andrew was known for his generosity, which is reflected today in the warm and generous nature of Scotland and its people.

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