Dozens of Scotland's top visitor attractions opened their doors for free yesterday while thousands braved icy temperatures to take part in an unprecedented series of free activities to commemorate the country's patron saint.
Dozens of Scotland's top visitor attractions opened their doors for free yesterday while thousands braved icy temperatures to take part in an unprecedented series of free activities to commemorate the country's patron saint.
The flagship event was the St Andrew's DO! in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens which included storytelling, games and ceilidh dancing and served as the launchpad for Scotland's Winter Festival period, which runs through Hogmanay to Burns Night.
The National Museum of Scotland, celebrating its 10th anniversary, staged a day of events to mark St Andrew's Day including an afternoon concert featuring music specially commissioned for the opening of the museum in 1998, as well as performances from young dancers and pipers from across Scotland.
A procession was held in St Andrews, a medieval party took place in Dundee and a street party and torchlight parade were held in Inverness. Partygoers in Aberdeen enjoyed a ceilidh and Glasgow's George Square hosted Shindig, a weekend of music and dancing.
Entry fees were waived at around 45 of Scotland's visitor attractions, including Edinburgh Zoo, Stirling Castle and Dunfermline Abbey.
Last night, First Minister Alex Salmond hosted a St Andrew's Day reception at Edinburgh Castle to mark the launch of a book celebrating the influence of Scotland's national bard and the countdown to the Year of Homecoming in 2009, the Scottish Government initiative which uses the 250th anniversary of Burns's birth to encourage people with Scottish ties from around the world to visit the country in 2009.
Touched By Robert Burns includes contributions from celebrities including Sir Alex Ferguson, Alexander McCall Smith, Midge Ure and Brian Cox. As well as honouring the Ayrshire-born poet, the publication also aims to highlight the work of children's organisation Unicef, with all proceeds going to the charity.
An advert featuring stars of screen, song and sport has been launched to urge people to take part in Homecoming.
Speaking shortly before the reception, Mr Salmond said: "St Andrew's Day is a fitting occasion to pay tribute to Scotland's favourite son and the continuing inspiration he provides for modern Scots. Burns restored to Scots a pride in their country and culture, battered as it had been in the years following the Union, and our national day is the best time to share that pride with the world.
"This year's celebrations mark the start of the countdown to Scotland's Year of Homecoming in 2009. The next few days will also see the Scottish Government unveil full details of the £10m Saltire Prize, one of the world's biggest scientific innovation awards of its kind. These initiatives are excellent examples of how we can celebrate our nation while also rising to the challenge of mobilising our strengths and our international resources to face down the current challenges and point the way to the future."
In his foreword to Touched By Robert Burns, Sir Alex says: "All Scots are rightly proud of the Ayrshire Bard. His works are world renowned and he is recognised everywhere.
"A good question to consider is how many Burns Nights are held in the entire world? I myself know of some friends who go to the annual Burns Supper in Moscow."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said Sir Alex was unable to attend the reception, but had recorded a video message.
Midge Ure said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the music and poetry taught to me as a child has lived on and has infiltrated and manifested itself in the work I do."
