The Bill that led to the Act being passed was first proposed by Dennis Canavan, Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Falkirk West, in 2003.

[4] The Bill was sent back to the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Culture Committee, and was eventually supported by Jack McConnell, the then First Minister, after a compromise agreement was reached whereby the holiday would not be an additional entitlement.

[5] The Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 November 2006,[6] and received Royal Assent on 15 January 2007.

However, the 1971 Act gives relief of obligation to make payments on days specified as bank holidays.

If St Andrew's Day is on a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday is designated as the bank holiday.