Gorrie believes bigger St Andrew's celebrations would lighten up winter

The call was made by Liberal Democrat MSP Donald Gorrie who wants 30 November to be celebrated like Thanksgiving in the United States.

Mr Gorrie has also tabled a Holyrood motion urging the Scottish Parliament to pursue the matter "vigorously".

He believes it will attract more visitors to the country.

The MSP for Central Scotland region said he wanted the first minister and the parliament to bring together leading Scottish figures to create a framework for a national celebration on which local communities could build.

It would be an enjoyable celebration of what is good about Scotland, looking outward and forward, not a narrow anti-everyone-else day Donald Gorrie Liberal Democrat MSP

"St Andrew's Day is well placed between the October break enjoyed by schools and the Christmas and New Year holidays, and would lighten up the early winter period," said Mr Gorrie.

He said a national day of celebrations would attract Scots from abroad and overseas tourists to visit the country around that date.

It could serve as a focus to promote Scotland and Scottish products, arts organisations could put on performances by Scots past and present, and schools, colleges and sporting organisations could mark the event.

Mr Gorrie added: "All this would greatly increase Scots' self-awareness and self-belief," he said.

"It would be an enjoyable celebration of what is good about Scotland, looking outward and forward, not a narrow anti-everyone-else day.

"The best day for this national celebration would be St Andrew's Day.