Scotland gears up for a month of St Patrick’s celebrations

SCOTLAND is gearing up once again for a month of celebration as the Irish community and our friends across the country edge ever closer to the St Patrick’s Day festivities.

With major festivals planned, showcase events organised and a repeat of last year’s high-profile civic parade through Glasgow’s streets set to bring a taste of Ireland to Scotland’s largest city it proves to be another great month for Scotland’s Irish.

In Coatbridge the annual St Patrick’s Day Festival returns in with a wide range of

community-focused cultural events celebrating Irish heritage.

The programme kicks off on Friday March 6 at the Columba Club with the Annual Irish Quiz Night and live Irish music, inviting teams to test their knowledge of Ireland. Additional festival highlights traditionally include the Annual Lecture and themed quiz nights such as a Father Ted quiz, along with music and dance performances across venues in the town.

The festival culminates with the popular Coatbridge St Patrick’s Day Street Festival, held on Saturday March 14 on Main Street featuring live entertainment, Irish music, dance, family attractions and community celebrations throughout the day.

Edinburgh will once again showcase the strength of Scotland’s relationship with Ireland with the annual St Patrick’s Day Consular Reception in the city.

In Glasgow, meanwhile, the Glasgow’s St Patrick’s Festival, takes place from March 3 to 19 and will celebrate Irish culture and heritage through a wide range of community events.

The programme includes traditional music sessions, film screenings, and a Derry Girls quiz night, alongside Festival Masses held in both Irish and English. Cultural and educational activities such as an Irish family history talk and a pop-up Gaeltacht are also featured, encouraging engagement with Irish language and heritage.

A key family-focused event is the Festival Family Fun Day, held on March 14 in Merchant Square following the parade. A St Patrick's Day Mass will take place at St Andrew's Cathedral at 10am, while the parade begins at 11.30am.

Further details are available via the festivals’ official social media channels, and by following The Irish Voice updates.