Happy St Andrew's Day
30 Nov 23
by Nathon Jones
Highland dancers prepare to compete at Minnigaff
Trad Music Trust, The Vault Arts Centre and Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival would like to wish you all very blessed, peaceful and amazing day, this St. Andrew's day. We are very proud to be from Scotland, live in Scotland and have children and family in Scotland.
Andrew was selected as Scotland's patron saint in 1320 when Scotland made an appeal to the Pope for protection against English conquest in the famous Declaration of Arbroath.
He was seen as a suitable choice due to his position as the brother of Saint Peter, the founder of the church as well as his role as one of Jesus's disciples.
There are also a number of myths and legends used to justify Andrew's special place in Scottish history.
One such story states that the Scots are descendants of the ancient Scythians who resided in what is now Romania and Bulgaria.
Here, it is said that Andrew the Apostle converted the early Scots to Christianity before they migrated to the British Isles.
Another is that Andrew, who was known for wandering far and wide before his crucifixion, travelled as far north as Scotland to establish a church in Fife.
(with thanks to The National for the above)