Scotland gets ready to party - and world is invited to join in

CHRISTMAS celebrations will officially get under way this weekend, as communities across Scotland launch their winter festivals.

In Aberdeen, the beginning of the festive season will be marked by Santa Claus parading his reindeer up Union Street to the Trinity Mall. Tomorrow, Aberdeen's main tree, donated by its Norwegian twin city of Stavanger, will have its lights switched on.

Today sees the opening of the Christmas Craft Fair in Stirling, with 50 stalls, while Perth will switch on its Christmas lights.

First Minister Alex Salmond insisted the winter celebrations would coincide with St Andrew's Day, next Tuesday, to bring major benefits to the country's economy.

He said: "We have a packed programme of events taking place across the country as part of Scotland's winter festivals and, once again, many of our top visitor attractions will open to the public for free over the St Andrew's Day weekend.

"Scotland's global family can join the celebrations in true Scottish style with St Andrew's Day balls in Doha and Beijing. Dance is an intrinsic part of our cultural identity and what better way to celebrate St Andrew's Day than with a traditional ceilidh?

"This year, we have a special menu devised by two Michelin star chef Andrew Fairlie. Perfect for St Andrew's Day, recreating this mouth watering meal using authentic, top quality, Scottish produce offers locals and visitors alike a real taste of Scotland.

"We know that festive celebrations can make a significant contribution to Scottish tourism and our economy and St Andrew's Day will help entice people from home and abroad to explore all areas of Scotland."

With Christmas festivities taking off this weekend, cities are expecting an influx of shoppers and revellers.

Edinburgh lit up on Thursday night when the traditional ice-rink and big wheel next to the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens returned. The ever-popular German market near the Mound also opened on Thursday.

Other cities switched on their lights even earlier, with Glasgow's Buchanan Street already twinkling. Celebrations in Scotland's biggest city centre around George Square, which played host to its main Christmas lights switch-on last weekend.

There is also an ice rink where skaters can slide around an unusual centrepiece - the square's statue of Sir Walter Scott.

Dundee is already lit up after a Christmas Night Light event on 19 November.More than 25,000 people took to the streets to witness and take part in the Torchlight Parade led by the lord provost and Santa.

Santa's Grotto in Inverness will open to children today as part of the Victorian Christmas fair. It will not be Santa's first visit there this year - he was in the city to see its lights turned on last Sunday in King Street, after which he and his reindeer led the procession to his grotto.