St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday

Often not. The law does not require banks or any other business to close on a Scottish bank holiday, and the St Andrew's Day legislation was written so that it would not add an extra day off by right.

Whether you are off depends on your contract. Some councils and public bodies close their offices; many employers that observe it do so by swapping it for another local holiday; most private firms work as normal.

In 2007. The St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act was proposed by Dennis Canavan MSP, passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 November 2006 and received Royal Assent on 15 January 2007. It is the newest permanent bank holiday in the UK.

• Banks: usually open as normal.
• Schools: mostly open, though a few council areas take a local holiday.
• Shops, offices and public transport: normal service in most places.
• Council services: some councils close their offices for the day.

St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, and 30 November is his feast day. The white diagonal cross of the Saltire represents the cross on which he is said to have been martyred. The day is marked with ceilidhs, torchlit processions and the Saltire flying on public buildings.