Culture of Scotland to support Gaelic-speaking communities in both Scotland and Ireland and to promote links between them. Scotland retains its own national church, separate from that of England. See Church of Scotland and Religion in the United Kingdom. There is also a large minority of Roman Catholics, around 16% of the population. The patron saint of Scotland is Saint Andrew, and Saint Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland on 30 November. Saint (Queen) Margaret, Saint Columba and Saint Ninian have also historically enjoyed great popularity. As one of the Celtic nations, Scotland is represented at interceltic events at home and around the
St Andrew's Academy St Andrew's Academy St Andrew's Academy was a Roman Catholic secondary school from 1971 to 2007 in the seaside town of Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland, which was named after the patron saint of Scotland, Saint Andrew. Before the school became St Andrews Academy, the new school opened in August 1961 as Saltcoats Junior Secondary School and was used for 10 years. It became St Andrews Academy in 1971. The school was formed in 1971 when the education system changed from senior and junior secondary schools to a comprehensive system. Previously, Roman Catholic pupils who passed the old 11+ exam attended