Celebrating St Andrew’s Day in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

As the trees turn bare and the wind gets a little chillier, the people of Scotland will be commemorating our national saint, Saint Andrew, in the only way we know how – by coming together, celebrating culture, feasting on traditional Scottish delicacies, and of course having a ceilidh.

St Andrew’s Day has been celebrated annually since the 18th Century, however, the tradition was actually started in South Carolina, USA by a group of Scottish immigrants who wished to reconnect with their heritage.

Here are four ways that you can celebrate this national day in North-east Scotland.

Enjoy live music

Live music is aplenty whether you’re in the city centre's traditional pubs or beyond! The likes ofMa Cameron’s are excellent venues to drink, be merry, and see some of the region’s up and coming musical talents.

313338251 646233023631394 5077369383357150341 n

Pictured: Ma Cameron's by James Heasman

Indulge in traditional Scottish cuisine

Whether you wish to stay in and cook a traditional meal for your family and friends, or head out and enjoy a fine dining experience with loved ones, there are plenty of options for celebrating St Andrew’s Day.

From blissful butteries to the freshest seafood, the region’s local producers are on hand to help you craft the ultimate menu! If you would prefer to dine out, then have a look at the fantastic range of eateries ready to welcome you.

Silver Darling 045 AVC6

Pictured: The Silver Darling

Raise a glass

Whether you like your whisky neat, on the rocks, or mixed up into a delicious cocktail, our local bars and restaurants have you covered. There is of course a range of wonderful whisky distilleries such as the Royal Lochnagar and the GlenDronach Distillery that deliver memorable experiences for you and your friends.

Royal Lochnagar

Pictured: Royal Lochnagar

Strip the willow

Everyone needs to experience a ceilidh at least once in their life! Filled with traditional Scottish music, singing, and dancing, this is the perfect way to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. You are never too far from a ceilidh in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire – visit our What’s On page to discover the many unmissable events happening throughout the festive season.

How will you be celebrating?

Whether you choose to host your own celebrations or prefer to head out into the city or to one of Aberdeenshire’s many welcoming towns and villages, we hope you have a lovely St Andrew’s Day.

Don’t forget to share your experiences in the North-east on social media and to tag @visitabdn in your posts for a chance to be reposted onto our channels.

Keep in touch via VisitAberdeenshire's other channels:

Keep scrolling for map view

Where to find the locations mentioned in this blog


Tip: Zoom for all locations