St Andrews Day is celebrated on the 30th November every year and here in Scotland since 2007 the Scottish parliament granted Scotland a bank holiday to celebrate. However, the first Saint Andrew's Day celebrations actually didn't take place in Scotland, but instead took place in the United States after a group of wealthy Scottish immigrants living in Charleston, South Carolina, decided to get together and celebrate their Scottish root and promote Saint Andrew’s philanthropic ideals, becoming famous in the area for their protection of widows and orphans, and so the St. Andrew's Society of Charleston was established in 1729. Similar Scottish societies were soon established across the United States and still remain today. Scotland soon took inspiration from their American counterparts and began celebrating their Saint with ceilidh dancing and eating Scottish foods. While the exact number of societies worldwide is difficult to pinpoint, they are spread across continents, from North America and Europe to Australia and Asia. Each society often has unique celebrations and traditions, incorporating elements of Scottish culture and local customs.  Join us as we catch up with St Andrews Societies around the world on the tartan blog.