Local communities, businesses, tourist attractions, retail units, charities and transport providers across Scotland have come together to share a message of kindness in the run-up to St Andrew’s Day today (Tuesday 30 November), in efforts to highlight the importance of community and compassion for others and the environment that we live in.

A special kindness-themed illustration to support the Scottish Government’s St Andrew’s Day campaign, featuring the message ‘When Kindness is Shared it Grows’ by Edinburgh-based artist Emily Hogarth has been created, inspired by the many small acts of kindness that have made a positive difference to many across the country this last year.

Organisations right across the country have lent their support across the weekend in the lead up to Scotland’s national day. ScotRail, Loganair and Stagecoach were among the transport groups that displayed and broadcast messages across their networks, from Edinburgh’s iconic Waverley Station to Inverness Station.

From Dundee City Square to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre and St James Quarter to the V&A Museum, the message of kindness was also displayed in the form of clean graffiti in Scotland’s cities. Passers-by were encouraged to stop and reflect this St Andrew’s Day, and importantly, to share kindness with others.

Up to 100 individual cultural and community events have been taking place in cities and towns around the country to mark St Andrew’s Day, delivered by EventScotland, BEMIS Scotland, the Fair Saturday Foundation and the English Speaking Union Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Many events were also broadcast online, bringing more people together from further afield to enjoy the celebrations – both in Scotland and beyond.

The Scottish Government has provided funding support of up to £430,000 to deliver Scotland’s Winter Festivals event programme in 2021/22 which provides a significant opportunity to boost Scotland’s dynamic tourism and event sectors as they progress towards post-pandemic economic recovery and bring diverse communities together to celebrate the resilience, community spirit and shared kindness.

For further information on the Andrew’s Day events programme visit: www.onescotland.org/st-andrews-day