THE MSP leading Holyrood’s debate to mark St Andrews day will take the opportunity to promote a global charity initiative in response to Black Friday.
The SNP’s Tom Arthur, who will lead the parliamentary debate today, will say that Scotland’s national day has become a celebration of what it means to be Scottish.
The MSP will also highlight Fair Saturday – a global movement aiming to promote community empowerment and charity which this year falls on the same day as St Andrew’s Day, November 30.
Held in response to the annual consumerist-driven Black Friday, Fair Saturday is a not-for-profit initiative which encourages people to improve their communities through culture and the arts. A total of 32 communities across Scotland are holding local events tomorrow to mark the occasion, including arts and crafts workshops, film screenings, plays, live music and St Andrew’s Day festivals.
Arthur said: “To be Scottish also means to be inclusive ... It is in this collaborative spirit that St. Andrew’s Day so fittingly coincides with Fair Saturday.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here