Saint Andrew's Day been given national holiday status. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament passed the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, which designated the Day as an official bank holiday. If 30 November falls on a weekend, the next Monday is a bank holiday instead. Although it is a bank holiday, banks are not required to close and employers are not required to give their employees the day off as a holiday. The University of St Andrews traditionally gives the day for all the students as a free holiday, but this is not a binding rule. Saint Andrew's Day is an
The Way of St Andrews a raid in Northumbria in the north of England. When he found himself surrounded by the much larger pursuing army, that night he prayed, and St Andrew appeared before him and promised him victory. The following day, a huge white cross appeared in the blue sky and this inspired Angus's army to win a great victory. The Flag of Scotland, a white X on a blue background, dates from this event. From then on St Andrew increasingly became accepted as the patron saint of Scotland. About a century later, under rather similar circumstances, St James rose to become the patron