Scots are being urged to spread a little kindness this St Andrew’s Day in celebration of the nation’s shared values and inclusive view of the world.

The #MakeSomeonesDay campaign marks the start of Scotland's Winter Festivals - backed by £550,000 from the Scottish Government – opening with St Andrew's Day on 30 November. This will be followed by events over the Christmas period, Hogmanay and, in January, Burns Night.

EventScotland is supporting events across Scotland and BEMIS, the national ethnic minorities-led umbrella body, is hosting multi-cultural celebrations as part of the Winter Festivals.

For the first time, the Scottish Government is teaming up with the global Fair Saturday Foundation on 1 December with a programme of more than 70 nationwide events to help fundraise for good causes and promote fairness and sharing.

Ben Macpherson, Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development, said:

“This St Andrew’s Day presents a positive, inspiring opportunity for all of Scotland, in all our diversity, to celebrate the inclusive, outward-looking and compassionate spirit of our nation - by helping others and by showing generosity and kindness.

“Whether it’s on St Andrew’s Day or St Andrew’s Fair Saturday, this year we can all show the best of what it means to be Scottish by each of us doing something small to #MakeSomeonesDay. If each of us does something kind for someone else, together we can make a big, positive impact for the benefit of the whole of Scotland.

“For St Andrew’s Day this year, I would encourage everyone to do something kind to #MakeSomeonesDay, join the numerous events that are taking place across Scotland, and enjoy celebrating the inclusive, outward-looking, compassionate spirit of our nation in all of its diversity.”

Jordi Albareda, Fair Saturday Director and Founder, said:

“When we began the Fair Saturday movement, we wanted countries all over the world to embrace its ideals of creating social impact though arts and culture. It is fitting that Scotland is hosting the first nationwide Fair Saturday festival outside of Spain and we hope the public will mobilise behind our aim of creating a better future for all.”