Celebrating Scotland

St. Andrew’s Day is upon us again.

We at Kiltmakers have gathered together some of our best Scottish table accessories for the perfect party.

St. Andrew was a generous, giving, spiritual man; a shining example for all of us.

Lets Celebrate!

Let’s celebrate the pride of Scotland as only we Scots can! Scotland’s National Day of remembrance for a man who was so instrumental in Scotland’s history should be marked in a special way.

* Water of Life Whisky Tasting Glass – A tasteful gift for the host ideal to mark the day.

* Royal Stewart Tartan Tablecloth – Set the mood for a Scottish celebration.

* Saltire Flag – Greet your guests with the ancient symbol of Scotland’s unity and triumph.

* Quaich – To Scotland! Make a toast, take a sip and pass it along, just as your ancestors did.

* Black Watch Tartan Napkin – Mix & match tartans for the most festive feast day ever.

* Royal Stewart Tartan Paper Table Runner – Make any table stand out with this runner.

* Scottish Dialect Napkins – What’s more Scottish than Auld Scots Words. These are fun!

* Scotland Forever Modern Tartan Scarf – A warm, thoughtful, affordable gift for the hostess.

View even MORE St Andrews Day ideas…

For all Scots January 25th is a significant date in the calendar, the birthday of Robbie Burns

BEST SELLER: 5 Burns Verses on each napkin!

Just £3.50 per 20 Pack and FREE delivery!

In Burns Napkins & Tablecloths:

Royal Stewart Table Runners Just £4.95 delivered		Burns ‘Thistle’ Napkins – 20 Pack £3.50 Free Delivery

See more in Burns Napkins & Tablecloths

In Burns Tableware:

Saltire Table Flags Only £1.95 delivered		Black Watch Tablemats (6 Pack) £15.95 with Free Delivery

See more in Burns Tableware

In Burns Clothing:

Scotland Forever Mini Sash Just £17.95 delivered		Scotland Forever Bow Tie Just £19.95 Delivered

See more in Burns Clothing

In Burns Miscellaneous:

Tinned Scotch Haggis £9.95 delivered		Thistle Quaich Complete Gift Set – £46.50 (Engraving Available)

See more in Burns Miscellaneous

We’ve some great news to share.

Our 20% off sale has been extended
for a further 10 days!

We’ve got at least 20% off ALL highland wear – including Sgian Dubhs, Sporrans and Cufflinks.

One of the surprise best sellers of this years sale have been the Clan Products (Belt Buckles, Cuff Links, Kilt Pins and more). All Clan Products are specific to your Scottish Clan. If you would like to find your clan you can use our online chat to speak directly to one of our advisors.

Finally – don’t forget you’ve just 10 days to save literally hundreds of pounds on our kilt outfits.

Dont miss out!

The 30th of November is the Feast Day of Saint Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. To celebrate we’ll be hosting a fantastic evening of food and drink, packed with entertainment. Unfortunately this years event is already full booked. However, you can celebrate at your own party with our fantastic range of St Andrew’s Day gifts and tableware.

Very little is really known about St. Andrew himself. He was thought to have been a fisherman in Galilee (now part of Israel), along with his elder brother Simon Peter (Saint Peter). Both became followers (apostles) of Jesus. St. Andrew is said to have been respo

nsible for spreading the tenets of the Christian religion though Asia Minor and Greece. Tradition suggests that St. Andrew was put to death by the Romans in Patras, Southern Greece by being pinned to a cross (crucified). The diagonal shape of this cross is said to be the basis for the Cross of St. Andrew which appears on the Scottish Flag.

St. Andrew’s bones were entombed, and around 300 years later were moved by Emperor Constantine to his new capital Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey). Legend suggests that a Greek Monk called St. Rule (or St. Regulus) was warned in a dream that St. Andrew’s remains were to be moved and was directed by an angel to protect them and take them to the “ends of the earth” for safe-keeping. St. Rule dutifully followed these directions, removing a tooth, an arm bone, a kneecap and some fingers from St. Andrew’s tomb and transporting these as far away as he could. Scotland was close to the extremities of the known world at that time and it was here that St. Rule was shipwrecked with his precious cargo. St. Rule is said to have come ashore at a Pictish settlement on the East Coast of Scotland and this later became St. Andrews. Thus the association of St. Andrew with Scotland was said to have begun.

Perhaps more likely than the tale of St. Rule’s journey is that Acca, the Bishop of Hexham, who was a renowned collector of relics, brought the relics of St. Andrew to St. Andrews in 733. There certainly seems to have been a religious centre at St. Andrews at that time, either founded by St. Rule in the 6th century or by a Pictish King, Ungus, who reigned from 731-761.

In either case, the relics were placed in a specially constructed chapel. This chapel was replaced by the Cathedral of St. Andrews in 1160, and St. Andrews became the religious capital of Scotland and a great centre for Medieval pilgrims who came to view the relics.

Whatever the truth, this special day is celebrated throughout Scotland in many different ways. To find out about events throughout the country visit Scotland.org here.

Don’t forget – you can always show off your Scottish roots with our fantastic range of tartan tableware, flags, scarves and gifts.

Whatever your choice have a happy St Andrew’s Day!

Helen McLeod works in our Highland Wear department here in our Aberdeen store.

This weekend she is raising charity funds by participating in the Great North Run.

By kind permission of the Mearns Leader we’re sharing her story here.

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A STONEHAVEN woman is set to take on the Great North Run this weekend to raise hundreds of pounds for a charity close to her heart.

Helen Mcleod - Great North Run

Helen McLeod will tackle the world’s biggest half marathon this Sunday in aid of the Cardiomyopathy Association, a charity which works to support people and their families affected by the hereditary heart muscle disease, which is the most common cause of sudden deaths in under 35-year-olds.

Two years ago Helen was a novice runner with Jog Scotland when she was first inspired to take on a charity run after her father Peter Lidster was diagnosed with the condition.

This will be her second trip to Newcastle for the Great North Run, having completed the 13 mile course last year for the same charity.

After a recent successful operation Peter has discovered a new lease of life, but the family continue to be tested for the hereditary condition, and Helen is keen to keep supporting the good work of the charity.

Helen told the Leader: “The Cardiomyopathy Association is one of the lesser known charities but they do a sterling job in the support of families affected and to raise awareness of the condition too.”
Fresh from taking on her first Edinburgh Marathon in May, Helen is feeling fit and confident and hopes to raise over £1000 from her efforts.

She said: “I’ve been following the training programme but I’m not too bothered about getting a good time, I just want to do it and raise as much as possible.”

If you would like to support Helen and the work of the Cardiomyopathy Association you can do so on her Justgiving website at:
www.justgiving.com/helenmcleod1