St Andrews weekend celebrates 600th anniversary finale

After three years of celebrations – which have seen the town join in Mediaeval banquets, food fairs, lectures, science demonstrations, the Antiques Roadshow, planting 600 trees, and a Royal visit – the University of St Andrews’ 600th Anniversary celebrations will reach their finale on 30 November 2013.

As the celebrations draw to a close the University of St Andrews, the St Andrews Partnership, the St Andrews Food and Drink Festival, Holy Trinity Church, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council and the Fellowship of St Andrews have come together to offer the town and the University a range of events and celebrations on Scotland’s national day.

A weekend of St Andrew’s Day festivities has been organised, aiming to include school children, long-time residents, students, visitors and University staff. There’ll be something to entertain and involve everyone, strengthening the links between the town and its ancient University.

The programme includes:

• The St Andrews Food and Drink Festival – which will be running events in the Town Hall from 10am – 4pm on Saturday 30 November.
• Festive Lights switch-on ceremony – organised by the St Andrews Partnership, at the East end of Market Street commencing at 4pm.
• Parade around the town centre – led by the Madras College Pipe band.
• An outdoor Ceilidh – hosted by the University in St Salvator’s Quadrangle at 6pm and organised by the Community Council and the Fellowship of St Andrews.
• 600th Anniversary Finale Ball – organised by the Fellowship of St Andrews and including superstar DJ DEL PELLO, all the way from Amsterdam.
• 600th Anniversary Concert – the celebrations will close on Sunday 1 December with a special concert in Younger Hall (7pm) including performances by the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra, St Salvator’s Choir, and the world premiere of a work by Sally Beamish.

Events are free and open to all, with the exception of the 600th Anniversary Ball for which tickets are priced (£35).

The St Andrew’s Day celebrations of St Andrews will also be shared nationally as the BBC will screen the University of St Andrews’ 600th Anniversary film, Ever to Excel, on, 7.00pm – 8.00pm on BBC 2 Scotland on St Andrew’s night (Saturday 30 November 2013).

The film – produced by Hamid Shams, directed by Murray Grigor OBE, and narrated by Sir Sean Connery – gives the first ever cinematic account of the foundation and development of Scotland’s first University.

Talented graduates who star in the film include: Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, novelist Fay Weldon, poet Jay Parini, psychiatrist Kay Redfield Jamison, writer Alastair Reid, and businessman Oliver Sarkozy.

The film will also be complemented by a Radio Scotland documentary, Red Gowns and Raisins, to be aired on Sunday (1 December 2013) 10.30am – 11.00am. During the programme Edi Stark will look at the contemporary life of the University and what it stands for now.

Notes to News Editors

The celebrations began in February 2011 when the Duke of Cambridge visited the University to launch its £100 million 600th Anniversary fundraising campaign.

The campaign has already raised over £40 million and is expected to continue into 2016 and beyond.

For details of the St Andrew’s Day celebrations go to: www.600thfinale.co.uk