Scotland's Winter Festival, which will run from St Andrew's Day on 30 November to Burns Season at the end of January, is designed to celebrate Scotland in the 21st century. 

Among the events planned for St Andrew's Day are Glasgow's Shindig in the Square, Edinburgh's Jig in the Gardens and a Doric Cabaret Evening in Aberdeen. Balls, dinners, lectures and concerts will also be held in international cities from Abu Dhabi to Washington. 

Resource packs will be sent to all schools and pre-schools with ideas on how to celebrate St. Andrew's Day, and a conference on national days will be held at Glasgow Caledonian University. 

Salmond, speaking at the launch of festival at St Margaret's Primary School in Loanhead, Midlothian, said St Andrew's Day was a celebration of Scotland at home and abroad.   

“It is a chance to enjoy the multi-cultural Scotland we have become,” he said. “But it's more than an excuse for a party - it's an opportunity to celebrate our history and our talents.” 

"I am particularly delighted to launch our Winter Festival programme at a school - because it is only by ensuring our children understand the significance of St Andrew's Day that we will guarantee our nation's story can be told to future generations,” he said.