St. Andrew’s Day and All Things Scottish

Ask an American what they think of when they think of Scotland and a few things come to mind: Kilts, bagpipes, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, the Loch Ness Monster, scotch whiskey, and that is about it. Some may mention the highlands. Some may mention Scotland’s geography, or golf, or Braveheart or Rob Roy. All of these things are uniquely Scottish and truly things that make Scotland mentionable and worthy of a closer look.

Despite being a part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has many aspects of their own identity. Whether it is the legal system, banking and currency, media, or even language, Scotland is Scotland. Proud and true.
Scots law and banking are clearly Scottish. Scots Law is based on Roman law in that it combines the civil law and the common law. Lawyers or Barristers are called Advocates. Judges judge civil and criminal cases. This is just different from England’s common law system and more like the laws of France or Germany. One example is that of marriage. Until, 1938, all that was needed for Scots law to recognize a marriage was consent and consummation. Until 1929, boys could marry at age 14 and girls at age 12. The age since then has been raised to sixteen for both genders.

Banks are also unique in Scotland. In the United Kingdom- the kingdom that Scotland is a part of, the Bank of England is the central bank for the United Kingdom Government. The British Pound is the only recognized legal tender currency in the United Kingdom. Despite this, the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the Clydesdale Bank all issue their own banknotes. The Royal Bank of Scotland made news in 2005 when they offered their own five pound note commemorating Jack Nicklaus in his final participation at the British Open held that year at the Old Course- St. Andrews. The notes have no status as legal tender, in some cases they are like the gambling chips in a casino in that they are redeemable for legal tender and many people take “token” currency with them as a souvenir.

Language is unique in Scotland. The Scottish- Gaelic language is maintained culturally through the Iomairt Cholm Chile- an organization founded to support the Gaelic speaking communities and promote links between Scottish communities that speak Gaelic and Irish communities that also speak Gaelic. There are at least two Gaelic language channels on the British Broadcasting Service that broadcast throughout the United Kingdom at different times of the day. Scotland cleaves to Gaelic as part of their unique identity and national pride.

In another demonstration of national pride, the Scottish Parliament enacted the Bank holiday for St. Andrew in 2006. The holiday takes place on 30 November. If that day falls on a weekend, the Monday afterward is the bank holiday. After about a thousand years as patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew has a bank holiday, and Scotland has another reason to hoist The Saltire.
St. Andrew as many may know was a disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was Peter’s brother. St. Andrew was the one who introduced Peter to Jesus. St. Andrew was cited in the Gospels as the first one called by Jesus.
Like all of the disciples except for St. John, St. Andrew was killed. He did not feel that he was worthy to be crucified the same way our Lord and Savior Jesus was crucified, so St. Andrew was crucified on a cross that looked more like an “X” or a Saltire.
St. Andrew is not in any way, shape, or form believed to have ever set foot in Scotland; one of the many places where he is the patron saint.

Go to Scotland and St. Andrew is everywhere. The many cathedrals, a golf course, and a town all bear his name. To see the flag of Scotland is to see the cross of Andrew. The cross of Andrew is one of three crosses on the “Union Jack,” or the British flag.
Those not from the British Empire, may wonder why of all the saints did Scotland decide on St. Andrew? One story says the town of St. Andrews is where it is believed that relics of his were “divinely guided” to from Constantinople. Given the “divine guidance,” it only made sense that St. Andrew would be the patron saint of Scotland. Or so was the thought of fifth century Scots.

Another story says that King Ungus in a battle with the English saw a cloud shaped like a saltire (like an “X”). King Ungus felt that Andrew was watching over them and decided if they won the battle, Andrew would be Scotland’s patron saint. While the latter is a more interesting story, it is believed that Scotland had venerated Andrew before Ungus. Still, it sounds like a great story. Not far from the story of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. It also helps explain the Scottish flag with a white “X” on a blue field.

The flag or Saltire is hoisted on bank holidays in Scotland including St. Andrew‘s day. All buildings that have flagpoles on Scottish holidays can hoist the Saltire instead of the Union flag on these holidays and if there are more than one flagpole on grounds, the Union flag can be flown lower than the Saltire. Many Scots do not like the fact that the Union flag still flies over Edinburgh Castle on St. Andrew’s day and other holidays. Edinburgh Castle is a British Army installation and all British army installations fly the union flag on bank holidays in Scotland.

Scotland clings to her identity with a warm glow and a willingness to let you know why they are so proud to be who they are. Whether you go to the breathtaking highlands, or the fascinating castles, or take in the world famous highland games, you may want to think about how the uniqueness of Scotland. Her identity is like none other on the planet.