Films, fireworks and a family festival in 'biggest ever' St Andrew's celebration

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 11:50

THE Government today claimed that this year's St Andrew's Day events will be the biggest ever, as part of the finale to the year-long Homecoming Scotland activities.

The programme of events will also mark the start of Scotland's winter festival season, which runs through Hogmanay and ends on Burns Night.

The St Andrew's Day programme for Edinburgh was announced by Culture Minister Mike Russell who said they would be centred on the capital's St Andrew's Square Gardens.

This will host a "family festival" on November 28 and 29, while other Edinburgh events include a Scottish film showcase, a massed pipes and drums parade, and a firework display over Edinburgh Castle on St Andrew's Day itself, November 30.

Unveiling the programme, Mr Russell said: "St Andrew's Day is a day to celebrate all that is great about Scotland – our culture, our heritage, our innovations and our people.

"This year's celebrations will be the biggest and best yet, filled with more activity in Edinburgh than ever before and over 40 exciting enhanced and new events across the country."

He said: "With such a variety of events in Edinburgh and communities across Scotland – there truly is something for everyone to enjoy."

Events across Scotland include a programme of traditional music events in Dumfries, a Gaelic festival in Inverness, musical events in Glasgow and a Son et Lumiere in St Andrews itself.

The Scottish Government has committed up to 434,000 towards St Andrew's Day celebrations across Scotland, the same as last year but with a bigger spread of events.