St. Andrew's Day 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Celebrating Scotland

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 CST Activities Page – Scotland & St Andrew’s Day

Date: 30 November

Theme: Celebrating Scottish culture, music, landscapes & traditions

🧠 Conversation Starters

• Have you ever visited Scotland? Which part or places? (

• What do you think of when you hear the word “Scotland”?

• Do you know anyone with Scottish roots or a Scottish surname?

• How do you think people celebrate 'St Andrew’s Day'?

• What’s your favourite Scottish food or drink?

🗣️ 1. Scottish Idioms

Discuss the meanings of the Scottish idioms and sayings ...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Classic Scottish Sayings

• “Lang may yer lum reek.” – May you never be without fuel for your fire (i.e. wishing you prosperity).

• “Dinna fash yersel.” – Don’t worry yourself.

• “Haud yer wheesht.” – Be quiet / hush up.

• “Wha’s like us? Gey few, and they’re a’ deid!” – Who’s like us? Very few, and they’re all dead! (Prideful Scottish humour.)

• “Awa’ an bile yer heid!” – Go away and boil your head (nonsense or daft talk).

• “Mony a mickle maks a muckle.” – Lots of little things add up to something big.

• “Better tae bend than break.” – It’s wiser to yield a little than to snap.

• “Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye.” – What’s meant for you won’t pass you by.

• “A nod’s as guid as a wink tae a blind horse.” – No point explaining what someone can’t or won’t see.

• “We’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns.” – We’re all equal / all God’s children.

• "It's blowin' a hoolie ootside!" - It's very windy outside.

• "Whit's fur ye'll no go by ye." - What is meant to happen will happen. 

• "It's a driech day." - Dull, wet and overcast.

• "Haste ye back." - Come back soon.

• "Gie's a bosie." - Give us a hug.

• Bonnie: Beautiful

• Braw: Good or fine

• Aye: Yes

🥃 Humorous & Everyday Phrases

• “It’s baltic!” – It’s freezing cold.

• “Pure dead brilliant!” – Absolutely fantastic.

• “I’m fair puckled.” – I’m out of breath.

• “Yer bum’s oot the windae.” – You’re talking nonsense.

• “Keep the heid.” – Stay calm.

• “Gie it laldy!” – Give it your all / with enthusiasm.

• “That’s me awa’.” – That’s me off / I’m leaving now.

• “Ah dinnae ken.” – I don’t know.

• "Skinnie malinke longlegs" - a very thin person.

• "I'll gie ye a skelpit lug." - I'll give you a slap round the ear.

• "Yer oot yer face." - You are very drunk.

• "Am pure done in." - I am very tired.

🌄 Traditional Proverbs & Wisdom

• “Be happy while you’re livin’, for you’re a lang time deid.”

• “If ye canna be nice, be gone.”

• “There’s nae use greetin’ o’er spilt milk.”

• “A friend’s eye is a good mirror.”

• “The day’ll come when a’ men shall be equal.”

• “He that tholes (endures) overcomes.”

• “Better a wee bush than nae bield.” – Better small protection than none.

• "Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs" - Don't try to teach someone something they already know.

• "A lie is half-way roon Scotland afore the truth has its boots oan." - News travels fast, so be careful what you are saying. 

• "Whit's fur ye'll no go by ye." - Whatever is meant to happen will happen.

• “Och aye the - NOO!” - Yes, right now

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 2. Scottish Things

Discuss these Scottish things. Which are the most emblematic of Scotland? Are there any missing things?

• Name these Scottish flags?

• Name this flower of Scotland?

• Name this Scottish patron saint?

• Name this emblem of Scotland?

• Name this musical instrument?

• Name these items of clothing? (Men, with pants or without?)

• Name the fabric?

• Name the hat?

• Name the sport?

• Name the dance?

• What percentage of Scots are redheads?

Answers: 'The Saltire' or 'St Andrew's Flag' & 'The Lion Rampant' or 'Royal Flag Of Scotland'; Thistle; St. Andrew; Unicorn; Bagpipes; Kilt & Sporran; Tartan; Tam O'Shanter; Tossing The Caber; Highland Fling; About 13% are red heads, but up to 40% carry the gene for it

'Donald, Where's Yer Troosers?', Andy Stewart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2fizeoT22g

Complete these traditional Scottish song titles ...

'Loch ......'

'Amazing .....'

'The Skye .... ....'

'Scotland ... .....'

'My Love Is .... . ... ... ....'

'Flower .. ........'

'Auld ..... ....'

(Traditional Scottish songs are linked below.)

Answers: 'Loch Lomond'; 'Amazing Grace'; 'The Sky Boat Song'; 'Scotland The Brave'; 'My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose'; 'Flower Of Scotland'; 'Auld Langs Syne'

🖼️ 3. Places

Have you been to any of these places? Which would you like to visit?

• Name the most famous Loch in Scotland? (What creature might you see here?)

• Name the castle, in the capital city of Scotland? (What royal event takes place here each year?)

• Name the bridge? (Name the inlet of water off the North Sea?)

• Name the royal castle? (Name the breed of dog?)

• Name the highest peak in Scotland?

• Name the coast to coast wall? (How long is it?)

• Name the golf course? (What is the 19th hole?)

• Name the steam train? (Name the railway terminus in Edinburgh?)

• Name the mythical horses? (Name the canal?)

• Name the canal lift? (What is the height difference between canals?)

• Name the island & bridge? (What song relates to this island?)

• Where would go to get a "quickie" marriage in Scotland? (Who is a "Quickie" marriage usually for?)

• Name this Scottish fishing village (a children's TV show was set here)? (What is the real name of the village and on which island would you find it?)

• Name the ship? (When was it decommissioned?)

Answers: Loch Ness (Nessie); Edinburgh Castle (Royal Military Tattoo); Forth Bridge (Firth Of Forth); Balmoral Castle (Corgi - Welsh not Scottish); Ben Nevis (1,345 meters; 4,413 feet high - highest mountain in the British Isles); Hadrian's Wall (73 miles long); Glenagles (The Bar); Flying Scotsman (Waverley); Kelpies (Forth & Clyde Canal); Falkirk Wheel (35 metres; 115 ft); Skye (Skye Boat Song); Gretna Green (A pregnant woman); Balamory (Tobermory; Isle Of Mull); Royal Yacht Britannia (1997)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SEVPR5Ssck

What supermarket products bear Linda McCartney's name?

Answer: 'Linda McCartney' vegetarian range

🙋‍♂️ 4. People

Who is your favourite Scottish person? Who would you like to have round fro dinner, or go for a pint with?

• Name this Scottish James Bond? (Can you name any of his seven 007 movies?) (FACTOID. He wore a wig in every one of them!)

• Name this Scottish comedian? (What is his nickname?)

• Name this Scotish sports hero? (What year did he first win 'Wimbledon'?)

• Name this Scottish Dr. Who? (Name the enemies behind him?)

• Name this Scottish singer? (What is her real name?)

• Name this Scottish TV presenter? (Which breakfast time TV show does she feature in?)

• Name this honorary Scottish singer? (What was his first number 1 hit single?)

• Name this Scottish TV presenter? (What type of holiday shows does she present?)

• Name this Scottish singer? (Which TV talent show didn't she win?)

• Name this Scottish children's TV couple? (What is their catchphrase?)

• Name this Scottish actor? (Which 'Star Wars' character did he play?)

• Name this Scottish actor? (Which 'Harry Potter' character did he play?)

• Name this Scottish politician? (Name her political party?)

Answers: Sean Connery (Dr. No, 1962, From Russia with Love, 1963, Goldfinger, 1964, Thunderball, 1965, You Only Live Twice, 1967, Diamonds Are Forever, 1971 & Never Say Never Again, 1983); Billy Connolly ("The Big Yin"); Andy Murray (2013); David Tennant (Cybermen & Daleks); Lulu (Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie); Lorraine Kelly ('GMTV'); Rod Stewart ('Maggie May', 1971); Susan Calman (Campervan touring & Cruise Ships); Susan Boyle ('Britain's Got Talent' - she lost to 'Diversity'); 'The Krankies' ("Fandabidosi"); Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kinobi); Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid); Nicola Sturgeon ('Scottish National Party')

Song break - 'Sailing', Rod Stewart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOt3oQ_k008&list=RDFOt3oQ_k008&start_radio=1

What is his hobby?

Rod Stewart's hobby is making model railways

🦌 5. Animals

Have you seen any of these animals in the wild, or in zoo or animal sanctuary for that matter?

Name the animal & ...

• How often do they shed their antlers?

• What percentage of beef does it provide in the UK?

• Which is more common, red or grey?

• Name the other publishing company named after a bird?

• What is the breed's nickname?

• Which family of animals does it belong to?

• Which family of animals does it belong to?

• How do they help prevent floods?

• Which country uses this bird as its emblem?

• What was the name of this animal in the 1997 movie?

Answers: Red Deer (Annually); Aberdeen Angus Cattle (17%); Red Squirrel (Red - 10%; Grey 90%); Puffin ('Penguin'); West Highland White Terrier ("Scottie"); Pine Marten (Weasel); Harbour Seal (Pinniped); Beaver (by making dams floodwater is kept from "flashing"); Golden Eagle (U.S.A.); Otter ('Tarka The Otter')

Song break - 'Blackbird', The Beatles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7epRPz0LGPE&list=RD7epRPz0LGPE&start_radio=1

There is a Scottish link to this song, in that Paul McCartney wrote it in his house on the Mull Of Kintyre.

The Blackbird is also significant in Jacobian and Celtic culture.

Who had a hit with a song where the lyrics to the first verse started "Blackbird has spoken, like the first morning ..."?

Answer: 'Morning Has Broken', by Cat Stevens

🎬 6. TV & Movies

Which of these TV shows and movies have members seen? Which did they enjoy most?

Name the TV show or movie?

& answer the following questions ...

• Name the child actors?

• Name the bearded actor?

• Name the actress?

• Name the actors?

• Name the actor?

• Name the character & actor?

• Name the TV presenter & island where the reality TV series was set?

• In which Scottish city was it set?

• Name the actor on the right?

• What was this movie about?

• Name the steam train?

• Name the actress?

Answers: 'Lassie Come Home', 1943 (Micky Rooney & Elizabeth Taylor); 'Whisky Galore', 1949 (James Robertson); 'Hamish Macbeth' (Robert Carlyle); 'The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie', 1969 (Maggie Smith); 'Mary Queen Of Scots', 1971 (Glenda Jackson); 'Braveheart', 1995 (William Wallace/Mel Gibson); 'Castaway' (Ben Fogle/Taransay); 'Taggart' (Glasgow); 'Monarch Of The Glen' (Richard Briers); 'Trainspotting', 1996 (Drug scene in Edinburgh); 'Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets', 2002 ('Hogwart's Express'); 'The Queen', 2006 (Helen Mirren)

Song break - 'Skyfall', Adele - https://youtu.be/tnu571p2CCw?si=tdBXhDUHyTYF4p-H

This song was chosen as the movie 'Skyfall' ending is set in James Bond's family home in Glencoe.

Who played 007 and M in this movie?

Answers: Daniel Craig & Judi Dench

🍴 7. Food & Drink

• Scotch eggs - What is the meat used in this dish?

• Cullen skink - What is the fish used in this dish?

• Scotch broth - What pulse is used to make this soup?

• Haggis, neeps and tatties - What is haggis made from?

• Scotch bonnet - On a scale of 0-10, how hot is this chilli?

• Cranachan - What is the English version of this dessert?

• Scott's Porage Oats - What does "doing porridge" mean?

• Shortbread biscuits - Which three ingredients are used to make this biscuit?

• Irn Bru - Is it true this drink is made orange by resting it in a vat with rusted steel girders?

• Crabbies Ginger Beer - What children's book characters drank "lashings of ginger beer"?

• Johnnie Walker blended whisky - Which grain is whisky made from?

• Oat cakes - What is their Scottish name?

Answers: Pork sausage meat; Haddock; Pearl barley; Sheep's heart, liver, and lungs, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices; 8-9 - 12 to 40 times hotter than a Jalepeno; Eton mess; Serving time in prison; Butter, flour and sugar; No - the orange colour is a food dye; End Blyton's 'Famous Five'; Barley; Bannocks

🧭 7. Traditional Scottish Songs - Singalong

'Loch Lomond'; 'Amazing Grace'; 'The Sky Boat Song'; 'Scotland The Brave'; 'My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose'; 'Flower Of Scotland'; 'Auld Langs Syne'

(See YouTube playlist below)

🧭 8. Modern Scottish Songs

Tp play when members are completing arts and crafts tasks. You could play this as a 'Name That Tune' round.

'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La, Da', Marmalade; 'To Sir With Love', Lulu; 'Bye Bye Baby', Bay City Rollers; 'D.I.V.O.R.C.E.', Billy Connolly; 'Don't You Forget About Me', Simple Minds'; 'Here Comes The Rain Again', The Eurythmics; 'Perfect', Fairground Attraction; 'Vienna', Ultravox; 'Love Is All Around', Wet Wet Wet; 'I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)', The Proclaimers; 'The Whole Of The Moon', The Waterboys; 'I Don't Want A Lover', Texas

🎨 9. Arts & Crafts

Make your own Tartan design. (There are several design templates available on line.)

Make your own Shortbread. Several easy recipes are available on line.

💭 10. Reflection & Calm

End session by playing soft Scottish pipe or harp music.Encourage participants to describe:

“How do you feel about Scotland now?”, “Is there anywhere in Scotland you would like to visit now?”, "What is the best piece of Scottish music you have listened to today?"

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