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| Scotland celebrates saint's day | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A wide range of events are taking place across Scotland and beyond to celebrate St Andrew's Day. | |
| The attractions include a display of the traditional Scottish dance Strip the Willow. | The attractions include a display of the traditional Scottish dance Strip the Willow. |
| Several announcements are expected, including a £750,000 investment in two historic buildings by the Heritage Lottery Fund. | Several announcements are expected, including a £750,000 investment in two historic buildings by the Heritage Lottery Fund. |
| Hundreds of people have taken the day off as a national holiday for the first time. | |
| As part of the day's celebrations, more than 60 of Scotland's top visitor attractions have been opened for free. | |
| Castles, museums, gardens and abbeys across Scotland from Orkney to Jedburgh are taking part. | Castles, museums, gardens and abbeys across Scotland from Orkney to Jedburgh are taking part. |
| Scotland is open to one and all to join the celebrations of St Andrew's Day Linda FabianiCulture Minister | Scotland is open to one and all to join the celebrations of St Andrew's Day Linda FabianiCulture Minister |
| The initiative is designed to encourage Scots and visitors to celebrate the country's heritage and culture on Scotland's national day. | The initiative is designed to encourage Scots and visitors to celebrate the country's heritage and culture on Scotland's national day. |
| During a speech in Glasgow on Friday, First Minister Alex Salmond called for St Andrew's Day to be celebrated as openly in Scotland as it was by Scots overseas. | |
| He added: "In doing so, we celebrate the values which define modern Scotland - the values of humanity, compassion, enterprise, ambition and a determined internationalism." | |
| The Strip the Willow dance will take place in Inverness later, while in Brussels the famous sculpture of the Mannekin Pis has been wearing a tartan tammy - just for the day. | |
| Edinburgh will host two live music events as part of this year's celebrations. | Edinburgh will host two live music events as part of this year's celebrations. |
| The Scottish Pavilion in West Princes Street Gardens will host Jig in the Gardens, a huge ceilidh with live Scottish-flavoured music which will include a guest appearance by Sandi Thom. | The Scottish Pavilion in West Princes Street Gardens will host Jig in the Gardens, a huge ceilidh with live Scottish-flavoured music which will include a guest appearance by Sandi Thom. |
| The Chiller Tent, in front of the Ross Band stand, will also host Groove in the Gardens, an evening filled with bands and DJs. | The Chiller Tent, in front of the Ross Band stand, will also host Groove in the Gardens, an evening filled with bands and DJs. |
| 'Distinctly underwhelmed' | 'Distinctly underwhelmed' |
| Meanwhile, a free ceilidh will be held in Glasgow's George Square as part of the city's Winterfest. | Meanwhile, a free ceilidh will be held in Glasgow's George Square as part of the city's Winterfest. |
| Culture Minister Linda Fabiani encouraged people to take part in the celebrations across Scotland. | Culture Minister Linda Fabiani encouraged people to take part in the celebrations across Scotland. |
| She said: "St Andrew's Day is a celebration of Scotland both here at home and all around the world. | She said: "St Andrew's Day is a celebration of Scotland both here at home and all around the world. |
| "This year we are rejoicing in our National Day and the start of the Winter Festival that will run on through Hogmanay to Burns Night. | "This year we are rejoicing in our National Day and the start of the Winter Festival that will run on through Hogmanay to Burns Night. |
| Ceilidhs will take place in the centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh | Ceilidhs will take place in the centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh |
| "Scotland is open to one and all to join the celebrations of St Andrew's Day and experience the cultural festivities we're known for all around the world." | "Scotland is open to one and all to join the celebrations of St Andrew's Day and experience the cultural festivities we're known for all around the world." |
| However, the Liberal Democrats criticised the Scottish Government for failing to deliver a full public holiday to mark St Andrew's Day. | However, the Liberal Democrats criticised the Scottish Government for failing to deliver a full public holiday to mark St Andrew's Day. |
| Culture spokesman Iain Smith said: "I am distinctly underwhelmed by the plans to mark St Andrew's Day this year. | Culture spokesman Iain Smith said: "I am distinctly underwhelmed by the plans to mark St Andrew's Day this year. |
| "The SNP promised to mark St Andrew's Day with a national holiday. Instead we have a half day annual leave for civil servants to take, but only if they want to. | "The SNP promised to mark St Andrew's Day with a national holiday. Instead we have a half day annual leave for civil servants to take, but only if they want to. |
| "Liberal Democrats supported making St Andrew's Day a full public holiday and we are disappointed that the Scottish Government has, once again, failed to deliver." | "Liberal Democrats supported making St Andrew's Day a full public holiday and we are disappointed that the Scottish Government has, once again, failed to deliver." |
| Last year MSPs agreed to make 30 November a voluntary public holiday. | Last year MSPs agreed to make 30 November a voluntary public holiday. |