The Saltire Festival is back for 2022 and there’s a great programme of events to choose from – all held in East Lothian – the home of the Saltire flag. Tickets are on sale now.
Based around St Andrew’s Day on 30th November, The Saltire Festival is an annual celebration bringing you the very best of Scottish entertainment, from traditional to modern music and from film screenings featuring Scottish stars of stage and screen to celebrations of Scotland’s rich cuisine – and much more!
2022 is Scotland's Year of Stories and the Saltire Festival is the perfect opportunity to showcase events shining a spotlight on stories inspired by, written or created in Scotland. East Lothian has played a vital part in much of Scotland’s history and continues to help shape modern Scotland today. A collaboration with the Edinburgh Book Festival brings an interactive storytelling event for families to The Brunton, which is also hosting the very tasty ‘Stories and Scran’ which is exactly what is says – readings from authors accompanied by delicious food!
This year’s festival kicks off on Wednesday 23rd November and runs until Friday 2nd December, starting with a screening of the film ‘My Old School’ at The Brunton starring the iconic Alan Cumming in the true tale of a grown man who passes himself off as a pupil at a Glasgow school. The Brunton also hosts a comic performance of some of Robert Burns’ gothic poetry as well as music legends Barbara Dickson and Hue & Cry.
The programme features a special Saltire Farmers’ Market in Haddington where you can pick up some locally produced ingredients and conjure up your own St Andrew’s Day feast! Those thinking ahead to the festive season should make sure to get along to the Victorian Christmas event at Prestonpans Town Hall. There will also be the traditional St Andrew’s Day service in the Parish Church at the birthplace of the Saltire, Athelstaneford, on Sunday 27th November.
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “It’s great to see The Saltire Festival returning with a full programme of events this year and I’m sure there will be something to suit all tastes, from film buffs to foodies and music lovers. There are great family events too including the Victorian Christmas and interactive storytelling. All of this helps to keep our Scottish and East Lothian culture thriving. And what better place for this than the home of the Saltire flag – East Lothian?”
We expect even more events to be added to the programme in the coming weeks so keep checking on the Visit East Lothian website!