Aberdeen celebrates St Andrew’s Day
range of activities organised by council brings buzz to city
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ST ANDREW’S Day was celebrated in Aberdeen over the weekend as hundreds of people turned out to enjoy a range of activities organised by the city council.
Celebrations got under way early on Saturday with a musical workshop, where youngsters got the chance to learn how to dance, sing and play traditional Scottish instruments.
In the afternoon, a marquee in Union Terrace Gardens was a hive of activity as Scots band Garioch Blend filled the floor during a tea dance. Ceilidh band Shoestring provided the entertainment during an evening ceilidh on Saturday, which was attended by around 100 people.
A concert celebrating Scottish music and dance, hosted by Waves Radio DJ Gordon Bathgate, rounded off the weekend of festivities last night.
SNP councillor Bill Cormie said: “From what I’ve heard, the weekend went well – especially the tea dance.
“This is only the second year we’ve done this. It’s still at very early stages – nowhere near the extent of St Patrick’s Day – but hopefully we can build it up slowly. It gives the town a bit of a buzz.”
Bill Farquhar, senior events officer at the council, said: “A lot of the children were doing ceilidh dancing for the first time in their lives and they really enjoyed it.”
First Minister Alex Salmond was delighted the day was being celebrated so extensively across the country, and said there would be further chances to honour Scottish culture and tradition over the coming months.
He said: “Our national saint’s day is followed next month by Hogmanay, with the winter festivities rounded off with Burns Day towards the end of January – an occasion that has special resonance given that it marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national bard.
“That landmark is also a cornerstone of 2009’s Year of Homecoming.”
Plans to hold a St Andrew’s Day parade in Union Street on Saturday were turned down last week. It was feared that emergency service vehicles would be impeded if it was held at the same time as the international market in Union Terrace and a football match at Pittodrie.
