Kilchurn Castle reflected in Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
© Tom Mackie/plainpicture
Saint Andrew's Day - Reflecting Scotland's heritage
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 the 12 apostles and a key figure in Christianity. Though he never set foot in Scotland, his influence is immortalized in the country's flag, a white saltire on a blue background, 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, a historic landmark in the Scottish Highlands. 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.