Today the West End Festival has launched a new winter event for St Andrew’s Day, Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Day Torchlight Parade.
The Torchlight Parade will be on Saturday 26th November and be open to any families and friends who wish to take part.
Vouchers for torches are now on sale at a price of £10 via the festival website or you can phone Ticket Source. A donation from every torch sold will be made to Beatson Cancer Charity which the festival has chosen to support for this particular event.
The evening celebration of Scotland’s patron saint will take the form of a torchlight parade passing through the main parts of the West End using a rolling road closure system. Drum band Samba Ya Bamba and SYB Youth Band will be playing in the parade.
Michael Dale, festival director said: “We’re delighted that the West End Festival has received the support of EventScotland through the Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme to be part of this winter’s activity in Glasgow and is able to use its resources to organise a celebratory event for everyone to take part in.
“With the funding, we can be sure to make this event fun and inclusive for people in Glasgow and beyond to both take part and spectate.”
It is expected that there will be up to 3,000 people in the procession.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “St Andrew’s Day is the perfect opportunity for Scots and Scots at heart around the world, to celebrate all that is great about our nation – including our thriving contemporary culture, our rich heritage and our first class food and drink.
“We are a country renowned for our warm hospitality, and what better way to mark our 10th Scotland’s Winter Festivals than honouring one of our patron Saint’s most inspiring traits – sharing. This St Andrew’s Day, in the spirit of St Andrew, I encourage everyone to take the time to share – be it a conversation, pot of tea, or even invite someone to the many St Andrew’s Day events happening up and down the country, such as Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Day Torchlight Parade.”