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One of the best parts of being Scottish, being of Scottish descent or just being interested in all things Scottish, is being able to attend the numerous Festivals, Gatherings and Games that are held throughout the world.
Here is a special list of St Andrew's Day celebrations from all around the world.
In this edition, we have events in Russia, France, N. Ireland, England, Belgium, China, Malaysia, Nigeria, South America, Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, USA, Australia and Poland.
Thank you to all those who sent us in their events. Please continue to use the Contact Us button to send us your news.
Poland
You might be interested in what they get up to in Poland on St. Andrew's night. Click here to read about their traditions.
Australia
Bundanoon Highland Gathering
The Bundanoon Highland Gathering has done it again in 2006, winning another prestigious award; A “Commendation” from the Rhodium Canberra and Canberra Region Tourism Awards in the Significant Festivals and Events Category. It’s not often that events can claim two consecutive awards of this standard and importance.
This follows last year’s “Commendation” from Rhodium Canberra and Canberra Tourism Awards, along with the Southern Highlands Business Awards for Excellence in Events and the 2004 Tourism New South Wales “Finalist” Award.
Mr. Saunders said,” it is also pleasing to note that “Brigadoon” has also received two Certificates of Achievement from the Regional Achievement and Community Awards programme 2006 in the “Community of the Year” and Events and Tourism categories” Quite an triumph for a Village volunteer committee.
He said, ”A huge amount of praise and gratitude must go to ALL members of the Brigadoon committee for their tireless, conscientious and professional approach to the success of this wonderful traditional Scottish gathering – albeit with a little bit of Aussie Flavour”.
Brigadoon is considered nationally as the proven leaders in the field of Scottish events. They will be celebrating their 30th anniversary on the 28th of April 2007.
Contact: Alaistair Saunders 02 4883 7471
www.highlandsnsw.com.au/brigadoon
Australian National University Canberra
St Andrew's Night
Enjoy an evening of tradition and fine fare with pipes & drums, haggis and whisky, song and dance in the Hall of University House.
Members – $45.00 Non-members – $50.00
Bookings essential.
Hosted by the Master: Professor John Richards
Venue: University House
Date: Friday, 24 November 2006
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Website: www.anu.edu.au/unihouse
Enquiries Ms. Lyn North 61255270
St Andrew's Society of Western Australia
St Andrew's Day Ball
2nd Dec 2006
Duxton Hotel
www.saintandrew.org.au/events.html
Royal Caledonian Society of South Australia
St Andrew's Day Supper Dance
18th Nov 2006
www.rcs.org.au/events.htm
The Caledonian Society of Western Australia
The Caledonian Society of Western Australia celebrates 100 years of incorporation on St Andrews Day. This will be a 'birthday bash' with a dinner dance, attendance of the Rockingham City Pipe Band, Local Highland and Country dance schools and a ceildih band for the dancers and singers.
The Society meets on the last of every month except December when, of course, we celebrate Hogmanay.
All visitors are very welcome and can contact the Society on Tel: N 61 08 9498 0771 or the email address tca434@people.net.au
USA
St. Andrew's Society of Connecticut USA
Thursday, November 30th
http://www.sasct.org/index.html
The Illinois Saint Andrew Society's Anniversary Feast commemorates the Feast Day of Saint Andrew, Scotland's patron saint. This great tradition began in 1845 when a group of immigrant Scottish men gathered at Chicago's finest hotel, the Lake House on Michigan Avenue. Since that time, Society members and friends have gathered together at this autumn gala, known for many years as the "Feast of the Haggis," to celebrate Scottish heritage. The evening is a grand Scottish celebration including award presentations, crowning of the Heather Queen, entertainment, piping, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. For tickets to this event, click on the "Online Store" in the upper left corner of this page.
Contact: Apryl Niksch
www.chicago-scots.org
Singapore
Singapore St. Andrews Society
Feast of the celebration of St. Andrew
November 24th
http://www.standrewssociety.org.sg/
Canada
St Andrew's Society of Toronto
The St. Andrew's Ball
Tell your friends! Make up a party!
25th November 2006
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Cash bar opens at 6.00 p.m.
Dinner at 7.00 p.m.
Ceilidh Dancing to the Pipes and Drums of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Scottish Country Dancing to Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent.
Practices for Ceilidh Dancing at the Moss Park Armoury at 8:00 p.m. on three Tuesdays (November 7, 14 and 21).
Practices for Scottish Country Dancing also at the Moss Park Armoury at 7:30 p.m. on two Tuesdays (November 14 and 21).
Practices will start promptly at the time shown.
Moss Park Armoury is located at Queen and Jarvis Streets; doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Please note that the above times and dates are correct: some people may have had different information.
The back (i.e. north) gate to the Armoury parking lot will be open for practices as well as the front gate.
Tickets are $115.00 per person and include the practices.
If you need further information or an application form for tickets, please contact information@standrews-society.ca
If you would like more information on the Society or its activities including the St. Andrew's Ball), please contact us via one of the following means:
e-mail – information@standrews-society.ca
Mail – St. Andrew's Society of Toronto
75 Simcoe St.
Toronto, ON
M5J 1W9
www.standrews-society.ca
New Zealand
Auckland
Thomas Robertson the Principal of Kelvin Road School in Auckland who is a "fierce promoter of Scotland and all things Scottish" plans to fly a 7 metre Saltire from the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge to celebrate St Andrew's day.
The flag will be a back drop for the Auckland Highland Games and used to promote a feeling of "Scottishness" during many Scottish themed events such as Tartan Day and the Waipu Highland Games on New Year's Day.
Canterbury
Canterbury Caledonian Society of New Zealand
Annual Celebration of St Andrew's Day
1st Dec 2006
www.canterburycaledonian.org.nz
France
Monaco
St Andrew's Ball of the Scottish Dance Group of Monaco
25th Nov 2006
Music by The Sandy Nixon Band
Contact: Yvonne Smith
Email: yvonnemonaco@yahoo.com
LA SEMAINE ECOSSAISE A MONTPELLIER
Du 24 novembre au 2 décembre 2006
LA DECOUVERTE DE L'ECOSSE
Cinema - Manifestations – Conferences
PROGRAMME
CINEMA: Séances des films écossais, ( Entrée libre),
Salle Rabélais, L'Esplanade, Montpellier,
LA SEMAINE ECOSSAISE A MONTPELLIER
CONFERENCE: Jeudi, 30 novembre à 19h00
Histoire et Culture de Scotch Whisky avec dégustation
suivi d'un dîner-buffet, au restaurant "Eurotel", Le Fenouillet, Perols
SOIREE DE PRESTIGE: Samedi, 2 décembre à 19hr30
"SAINT ANDREW'S NIGHT GALA BALL"
Dîner-Dansant traditionnel de St André, Patron de l'Ecosse
Salle " Espace - Rencontres", Castelnau-Le-Lez
Vos amis seront bienvenus – Venez nombreux
"La Découverte de l'Ecosse". des conférences avec des films sur l'Ecosse.
Les etudiants et les classes des Lycées, Collèges, et Ecoles Primaires, sont les bienvenus.
Netherlands
St Andrew's Ball of the St Andrew's Society of the Netherlands
2nd Dec 2006
19:30 – 02:00
Crown Plaza Hotel
Dancing for all and a highland banquet
Contact: Marion Trap and John Hayes
www.standrews.nl
India
Chennai (Madras) Scottish Country Dance Group
Meet every Monday at members' homes and celebrate Burns Supper and St Andrew's night every year with traditional Scottish fare including haggis, which is usually brought by someone who has visited the UK.
Tel: 914424937724
Email: gopalmadhavan@vsnl.com
www.scottishdance.net/groups/australasia.html
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong St Andrew's Society
The St Andrew's Ball
25th Nov 2006
Hong Kong Football Club
www.standrewshk.org
Thailand
The Bangkok St Andrew's Society
St Andrew's Ball
Nov 25th
The Amari Watergate Hotel
www.bangkokscot.com/events.htm
Cyprus
The Caledonian Society of Cyprus
St Andrew's Ball
25th Nov 2006
Four Seasons Hotel Limassol
www.cypruscaledonians.com/events.htm
Germany
The Munich Caledonians
St Andrew's Dinner Dance
25th Nov 2006
Starts 19:30pm
Marriott Hotel Munich
www.the-munich-caledonians.org
Italy
The Caledonian Society of Rome
St Andrew's Grand Ball
Saturday 2nd Dec 2006
www.caledoniansocietyofrome.org
Florence Scottish Association
St Andrew's Ball
A night of celebration with haggis as the main course.
For details, contact florencescots@inwind.it
or visit http://spazioinwind.libero.it/fsa
South America
The St Andrew's Society of Valparaiso
St Andrew's Day Dinner
25th Nov 2006
www.standrewsvalpo.org
Nigeria
Lagos Caledonian Society
St Andrew's Ball
Fri 25th Nov 2006
Muson Centre
www.lagoscaledoniansociety.com
Malaysia
Selangor St Andrew's Society
Annual Celebration of St Andrew's Day
1st Dec 2006
www.ssas-online.com
China
Caledonian Society of Beijing
St Andrew's Ball
30th Nov 2006
www.beijingcaledoniansociety.com/events.html
Belgium
Caledonian Society of Brussels
St Andrew's Ball
Sat 25th Nov
Sheraton Hotel, Place Rogier
19:30pm
www.calsoc.be/page4.html
England
Caledonian Carols for Borderline
Borderline is holding its inaugural Carol Service on Thursday 7th December. Taking place in the beautiful building of St Columba’s Church in Knightsbridge, the evening will be an opportunity for the entire Scottish community in London to join in a service with Scottish singers, speakers and groups while supporting their fellow Scots who find themselves in difficulties in London.
We would like to invite you to the service, where you, your friends and your families will be piped into the church in fine Scottish style by the Pinstripe Highlanders, entertained by Coisir Lunnainn and Streetwise Opera, enjoy the superb voice of Hilary Summers and join in singing carols. After the service there will be a convivial evening with delicious refreshments, and we invite you to buy tickets for this. The tickets are £10 for individuals and £25 for a family group.
Please put Caledonian Carols on 7th December in your diary now and e-mail us on carols@borderline-uk.org or call us on 020 7802 2788 to buy tickets and for further information.
The evening will help raise funds for Borderline’s unique work - we offer advice, support and resources to homeless and insecurely housed Scots in London. We see an average of one new client each day. Last year we saw a client from every Local Authority area in Scotland.
Caledonian Carols for Borderline promises to be an excellent evening where the many Scots living and working in London can enjoy the spirit of Christmas with their country folk whilst helping a small Scottish charity that achieves big results.
We look forward to seeing you on 7th December.
London Ceilidh Club
Scottish Ceilidh, St Andrew's Night, Friday 24th November, London Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill SW11 5TF. It's a 10 minute walk from Clapham Junction. A live band with a caller will let you know all the steps and will lead you through the best three hours of fun that you can have with your clothes on. All for £10 full price, £5 concession. You get £1 off the full price for wearing a significant amount of tartan.........
www.gumtree.com/london/29/5635929.html
St Andrew's Night Ceilidh – Cambridge
Saturday 25th November 2006
St George's Church Hall, off Milton Road
7.30 p.m.
Tickets £3
shared refreshments
St George's Church is signed on Milton Road at the turn off at Fraser Road. From Fraser Road turn left into Chesterfield Road and the Church becomes visible. Entrance to Hall is to the left of the Church (Hall is slightly hidden behind it). Parking both down driveway and on the road.
Charity raffle, donations of prizes welcomed
Scots in London
St Andrew's Celebrations at the Caledonian Club. Following on from the great success of the SIL event at The Caledonian Club last year, Scots in London are delighted to have been invited by The Caledonian Club to hold the first-ever bash (before its official opening on Nov 30th!) in the new wing following the completion of the £5 million development. The Caledonian Club is a truly first rate venue and its new wing must be seen. The Caledonian Club has a strict dress code and its rules apply on the evening – jacket and tie, no jeans or trainers. It's going to be a cracking SIL night so get yer glad rags on – dress up. A great Scottish night for business and pleasure!
Format: Very relaxed evening, business and social networking, fab venue, Scottish music, entertainment, canapes and drinks. Make new friends and meet up with old friends for a chin-wag. Enjoy... 6.30-7.30pm: Sharp arrival recommended. Piping by The Legendary Pinstripe Highlanders, mingling, complimentary Whyte and Mackay and Deuchars IPA (tbc). 7.45-8.00pm: Introductions and traditional SIL group photograph. 8.00-9.15pm: Entertainment (as above) 9.00-9.30pm: Scottish Charity Auction and Raffle (tbc) 9.30-11pm: Pop Ceilidh and entertainment. 11pm: Auld Lang Syne and Carriages/Haste ye back...
Bournemouth Caledonian Society Events
ST Andrew's Dinner Dance
Thursday 30th November 2006
The Scottish Hall (£9.00)
Mid Sussex Caledonian Society
Nov 26th
St Andrew's Supper Dance and 80th Anniversary Celebration
Burgess Hill School for Girls
Northern Ireland
St Andrew's Night Ball
Friday 24th November
7:30pm – 12:30pm
Great Hall, Queens University Belfast
Band to be notified
£35
Contacts:
Hon. Secretary Martin Gordon in Republic Ireland 0872358266 – email: credo1960@eircom.net
Finnian Gallagher in Northern Ireland 07812146990
Russia
December 2nd and 3rd
The Students of the University of Pskov in Western Russia are holding a number of events over the period of St Andrew's Day. On the day itself there is a students' party with stories and entertainment which is to be followed by an historic re-enactment in a nearby country house on December 2-3. This spectacle is being called "St Andrew's Day in Glenbervy". The name is imaginary as are the historical characters portrayed. However, they are based on real Scottish historical families and clans and we have been assisted by The Guild of Role Plays in Pskov.
The main plot centres on St Andrew's Day at the Laird's estate. A wedding is being arranged and many visitors appear – The King's men, students and apprentices from Edinburgh, relatives from neighboring places. Officials such as the Sheriff of Eskland are invited. The celebrations include feasts, hunting, sporting competitions, fortune telling, and "table" games. To add interest, some guests have "skeletons in the cupboard" and problems with the law.
It is not easy for a 21st century student from Pskov, Russia to act as a Scot at the beginning of the 16th century. That's why a great deal of work is done with the students beforehand. There are lectures on the history of Scotland and the situation in Britain at that time, on the history of costumes, national characteristics, and behaviours, national sports, games, superstitions, fortune-telling and about St Andrew's Day itself. The lectures are prepared and delivered by teachers, archaeologists and students. We also get good assistance from the information on the Global Friends and Scotland Now web sites – www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk/culture/st-andrews.html
www.pskov.ru/en/administrative_division
