| Where: | Athelstaneford, East Lothian at the Saltire Memorial in the Kirkyard, Main Street |
| When: | Sunday near 30th November |
| Time: | 2 pm for 2.30 |
The feast day of St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland, is on 30th November, and the national flag of Scotland features a white saltire on a blue background, as Andrew was martyred on an x-shaped cross. The flag is the earliest national flag in Europe and has its origins in a battle fought near Athelstaneford back in the ninth century, when the Scots commanded by King Angus were victorious over Angle and Saxon forces under Athelstan. Before the battle, Angus prayed for help and saw the white cross of St Andrew formed by clouds against the blue sky; he vowed that if he won the day, St Andrew would be the patron saint of his country. Today this is remembered in the village of Athelstaneford with a memorial in the south-east corner of the churchyard, which has a flagpole displaying the flag year-round and is maintained by the Scottish Flag Trust. On a Sunday near the Saint’s feast day, there is a special service held at the church after which the flag is blessed and hoisted up the flagpole. There are often performances by local schoolchildren and pipe bands, and refreshments follow back in the church hall.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 the service should be on Sunday November 30th, at 2.30 pm with pipers performing beforehand from 1.45.
Don’t miss the display inside the Doocot behind the church which tells the story of the flag.
Click here for the Haddington Pipe Band: https://www.haddingtonpipeband.co.uk
Click here for the Scottish Flag Trust website: https://scottishflagtrust.com
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ScottishFlagTrust
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