Saint Andrew's Day

Put on your tartan and let the bagpipes play—it's St. Andrew's Day! Scotland's national day is a public holiday there—though not everyone takes the day off. A fisherman by trade, St. Andrew—also the patron saint of several other countries including Greece, Barbados, Romania, and Ukraine—was one of Jesus' apostles and a key figure in Christianity. Though he never set foot in Scotland, his influence is immortalized in the country's Saltire flag, which is said to represent the cross on which he was martyred.
Festivities on St. Andrew's Day range from traditional folk music to high-spirited cèilidhs—social gatherings that involve music, dancing, and storytelling. Food plays a central role in celebrations, too. Expect hearty servings of Scottish staples like haggis, neeps and tatties (mashed rutabaga and potatoes), smoked salmon, and oatcakes. The day also serves as a warm-up to Scotland's winter festivals, leading into Christmas, Hogmanay, and Burns Night. To mark this day, we're visiting Kilchurn Castle, one of Scotland's historic landmarks, in the west of the country. Perched on the banks of Loch Awe, the fortress was built in the mid-15th century by Sir Colin Campbell. Though this castle now stands in ruins, it still offers a glimpse into the country's medieval past and the powerful Clan Campbell.
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