St Andrew's Day: Is it a bank holiday and will I get a day off?

The Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas is marked every year on November 30.

St Andrew officially became the patron saint of Scotland in 1320 at the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath.

The national day brings together Scots and those who are Scots-at-heart for a celebration of Scottish culture with a bank holiday and a variety of events.

Is St Andrew's Day a bank holiday?

St Andrew's Day falls on Wednesday, November 30 this year. ( Canva) (Image: Canva)

Yes, St Andrew's Day is an official bank holiday in Scotland.

November 30 was officially declared a bank holiday by the Scottish government in 2006. 

On St Andrew's Day, the saltire must be flown on all Scottish government buildings. 

Any celebrations tend to revolve around Scottish food and drink like haggis and whisky as well as traditional music and dancing.

Do I get a day off for St Andrew's Day?

Despite being a bank holiday, employers are not actually required by law to give employees a holiday on the St Andrew's Day bank holiday.

Meanwhile, schools do not take St Andrew's Day off meaning pupils are still required to go to school. 

Banks are also not required to close on November 30 if they do not want to. 

If November 30 occurs on a weekend, the bank holiday is moved to the preceding Friday or the following Monday.

When is the next Bank Holiday in Scotland?

You can see all of the upcoming Bank Holidays in Scotland for the rest of 2023 and 2024 via the Scottish Government website.

Following St Andrew's Day on November 30, there are two remaining bank holidays in 2023. 

Christmas Day on Monday, December 25 is the next bank holiday and will be followed by another bank holiday the following ( Tuesday, December 26) for Boxing Day. 

St Andrew's Day is celebrated on Thursday, November 30 2023.