Once again we approach St Andrew's Day, Andermas, on 30 November, a day
which traditionally has been celebrated far more by exiled Scots than
those of us who reside in the Land o Cakes. Earlier this year it
looked as if this might change as a majority of Scottish MSPs were said
to be in favour of making St Andrew's Day a public holiday. The
Scottish Executive, as it seems to do with everything, has put the
matter on the back burner but the day cannot be far off when our Patron
Saint's day is properly marked. The irony of course is that the
Scottish Parliament does have Andermas as a day off!
At least in the Fife town of St Andrews our Patron Saint is well
remembered and the annual St Andrew's Festival Week is now marking its
tenth anniversary. St Andrew's Festival Week 2005 gives locals and
visitors alike the opportunity to celebrate St Andrew's Day in style in
the town which proudly bears the saint's name. A wide array of
events will focus on the best of Scotland's rich culture and cuisine
from Tuesday 22 November until St Andrew's Day itself, Wednesday 30
November. Traditional music and song will play a major part in the
2005 celebrations with sessions being hosted in many of the pubs and
hotels throughout St Andrews. As in past years one of the
highlights will be the annual Scott's Porage Oats Golden Spurtle Awards
which will be hosted at the Food and Drink Fayre in the Byre Theatre on
Saturday 26 November. Also on that Saturday the massive firework
display will light up the night sky from the grounds of the St Andrews
Bay Hotel. Sunday 27 November gives everyone with an interest in
plants the chance to explore St Andrews Botanic Gardens with activities
on offer for adults and bairns throughout the day, ranging from a conker
competition to working with healing herbs.
Visit
www.standrewsweek.co.uk for full details of St Andrew's Festival
Week 2005.
Also on the subject of Andermas, our thanks to David R Ross, Convener,
Society of William Wallace, for the following information -
"St Andrew's Day will soon be here, and a march
down Edinburgh's Princes Street has been arranged. It is at
noon on Saturday 26 November, and folk meet from about 11am on, in
the vicinity of the Hebrides Bar in East Market Street. This
street runs down the south side of Waverly Station, the side
nearest the Royal Mile. If you are coming, bring your Saltires!
The march, after a mile or so, terminates at Festival Square, where
there will be short speeches. The day continues with a guided
tour round a few historic Edinburgh bars (not compulsory!) and then
there is an evening event at the Cafe Royale, not far from the east
end of Princes Street. There will be bands playing at this
event and tickets will be available on the day. Something like
half the available tickets have been sold, so it will be a
well-attended event. This will be the third year that the
march has taken place, and it seems that it is starting to grow and
there is much interest, and ticket sales for the evening event seem
to ensure that there will be a good crowd."
In anticipation of St Andrew's Day, this week sees the debut of Andermas
Saltire Cake which has been devised for The Flag by Kenzie Wallace,
age 11.
Andermas Saltire Cake
Ingredients:
6oz (150g) butter; 6oz (150g) caster sugar; 6oz (150g)
self-raising flour; 3 eggs
Method: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, adding a little flour with each.
Gently fold in remaining flour. Place mixture in a greased 6.5in
(16cm) square tin. Bake at 180°C, 350°F, Gas Mark 4 for 40-45
minutes.
Icing: 4oz (100g) sieved icing sugar; 1 tbsp (15ml)
warm water; food colouring. Stir until smooth
When cake is cool, cover with blue icing. When set, add white
cross to make saltire.
