Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Scotland’s saint in tourist heaven
Andrews are invited from all over Europe
Scotland does not have a patron saint who bravely slew a fire- breathing creature or banished snakes from the country.
Instead we have to make do with a Galilean fisherman, Saint Andrew.
And last week I travelled to Fife to join another 21 Andrews, Andrés and Andreas from England, Ireland, France and Germany, along with some female Andreas flown in by Visit Scotland, to celebrate our patron saint and enjoy a traditional Scottish weekend in St Andrews.
As Scots we harbour a sense of identity when we see a St Andrew’s cross painted with vapour trails in the sky.
So it is puzzling that we do not line the streets on November 30 to celebrate St Andrew like the Irish on St Patrick’s Day.
Now Visit Scotland are aiming to encourage some enthusiasm for our annual patron saint’s day.
Andrew means manly, strong, courageous and warrior so what better way to kick-off the trip than an impromptu Highland games on St Andrews’ West Sands beach?
The sun was shining as three muscular gents instructed us on the finer points of caber tossing, hammer throwing and launching a rock.
An impressed foreign female hopefully asked: “Are all Scottish men so strong?”.
Sadly, it turns out the answer is “no”, certainly in the case of me and my fellow Andrews.
Manuella Calchini, Visit Scotland’s regional director for Fife, outlined the idea behind the special weekend.
She said: “We want to welcome all and ensure we raise the profile of St Andrew’s Day further afield.
“Bringing some Andrews and Andreas over here lets them see the Scottish fun and hospitality on offer.
“I think most of them will have an idea of what Scotland is like but it’s important they realise Scotland is more than castles and Nessie.”
Following the Highland games, all the Andrews tackled some group activities which were great fun.
A food tasting tour visited a traditional fish and chip shop, while thril seekers attempted land yachting – essentially go- karting with a sail.
Bagpipe lessons gave beginners a chance to increase local noise pollution, while golf provided a relaxing stroll during a crisp afternoon.
Unfortunately I spoiled that walk by hacking my way around St Andrews’ nine-hole course.
Visit Scotland’s events were warmly received by every Andrew, who then took to the stage on the town’s Market Street to turn on the Christmas lights in front of more than 1000 revellers eager for the subsequent ceilidh.
Clad in tartan, we enjoyed our five minutes of fame as we counted down from 10 to illuminate the bustling street.
The ceilidh that followed was undoubtedly the highlight : 25 couples, most of whom had never met before, mixing with locals and enjoying a moment they will never experience again.
The following morning friendships were cemented with hugs and handshakes before flights back home brought the curtain down on a fantastic St Andrew- themed event and one which I hope will help rekindle a national interest in celebrating our patron saint.