Further ridicule was poured on the embarrassing error when it was pointed out to the Scottish Executive that there are only 30 days in November.

An Executive spokeswoman claimed the mistake was typographical.

When her attention was drawn to the fact the incorrect date had been typed twice, she insisted simple human error was to blame. She added that steps have been taken to ensure there is no repeat.

YSI national convener Aileen Campbell said she was gobsmacked by the response.

“The Executive is trying to promote Scotland as the best wee country and keep talking about being patriotic, but can’t even get our national day right,” she said. “I can’t imagine the Irish getting St Patrick’s Day wrong.” Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said Mr McConnell should be deeply embarrassed and apologise for the error.

“This perhaps reveals how little many of those working in the higher echelons of the Scottish Executive know about Scotland,” she said. “There is no excuse for them not to know the basic points about Scotland, including our national days, St Andrew’s Day in particular.

A postcard was sent to Mr McConnell by YSI as part of a text referendum to find out if the swell of public opinion would back a national holiday for the day.

The Executive letter, sent by the international division, pointed out the Scottish Parliament has no powers to create a national public holiday.

It said MSP Dennis Canavan’s St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) Bill would only allow banks to close and not compel them to do so.

Dundee-based researchers have said a St Andrew’s Day holiday would boost Scots’ confidence and cut rates of ill health. They say a day devoted to celebrating Scottish culture would promote well-being and reduce cases of depression and anxiety.

Dr Fabio Sani, of the psychology department, Dundee University, said Scots felt estranged from their history.