About us
Founded in 1835, the St Andrew’s Society of Montreal is a charitable society dedicated to the assistance of Montreal’s Scottish community, education and the preservation of Scottish arts and culture.
Through various fundraising events, the Society assists a number of groups such as the Montreal Highland Dance Association and the Black Watch School of Piping and Drumming. It also provides grants for special cultural projects, post-secondary students, and emergency assistance to Scots in need. The St. Andrew’s Society is a major sponsor of the McGill Chair of Canadian-Scottish Studies.
The Society is also a social community which organizes a number of events through that year to bring Scots and those of Scots descent together. These include barbecues, whisky tastings, golf, curling, a Children’s Christmas party and a Burns supper.
The high point of our events is the St. Andrew’s Ball; initiated in 1848, the Ball is held annually on the Friday closest to the day honouring our patron saint (November 30). The St. Andrew’s Society also hosts the Montreal Highland Games, continuing a tradition started in 1856.
Through various fundraising events, the Society assists a number of groups such as the Montreal Highland Dance Association and the Black Watch School of Piping and Drumming. It also provides grants for special cultural projects, post-secondary students, and emergency assistance to Scots in need. The St. Andrew’s Society is a major sponsor of the McGill Chair of Canadian-Scottish Studies.
The Society is also a social community which organizes a number of events through that year to bring Scots and those of Scots descent together. These include barbecues, whisky tastings, golf, curling, a Children’s Christmas party and a Burns supper.
The high point of our events is the St. Andrew’s Ball; initiated in 1848, the Ball is held annually on the Friday closest to the day honouring our patron saint (November 30). The St. Andrew’s Society also hosts the Montreal Highland Games, continuing a tradition started in 1856.
FOUNDING STATEMENT (WHO WE ARE)
In 1835, the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal was formed “with a view to regulating charity in a systematic manner” and “to advance the cause and welfare of Scotsmen and their descendants.” These principles were spelled out in the Society’s Charter when it was incorporated as a legal person by provincial statute in 1858 and were confirmed when it was amended in 1948. They still govern us.
POWERS (WHAT WE CAN DO)
For the said purposes, the Society is empowered in its Charter:
a) to carry out, among persons of Scottish birth or descent, community assistance and youth training activities;
b) to promote historical, educational, patriotic, social, artistic and sporting activities for the purpose of maintaining and celebrating Scottish traditions;
c) to grant educational aid and assistance to those of Scottish birth or descent;
d) to cooperate with other Scottish societies in carrying out such activities as aforesaid.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (WHERE THE FUNDS GO)
Cultural organizations
The Society was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of a Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies at McGill University. We also provide funding to the following organizations to promote Scottish culture and traditions:
In addition, we provide funding for the following awards and scholarships: the Highland Dancing Scholarship, the Keith Radley Hutchison Award (piping), and the St. Andrew’s Society Scholarship for Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing.
We are also carrying out renovations of the cemetery sites held by the Society, and completing a project to digitize our archives and make them available for consultation and research.
Assistance to Persons in Need
Our Community Assistance Program exists to help individuals who find themselves in emergency financial need. Our objective is to help such persons get back on their feet or to bridge the gap until government programs begin to provide help. The level of assistance ranges from food vouchers to more substantial assistance given to patients undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing a financial crisis.
Education
We provide scholarships for about 50 students in various post-secondary programs of study. We also provide funding to McGill University, Concordia University, Bishop’s University, the University of Guelph, and to the Presbyterian College.
In 1835, the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal was formed “with a view to regulating charity in a systematic manner” and “to advance the cause and welfare of Scotsmen and their descendants.” These principles were spelled out in the Society’s Charter when it was incorporated as a legal person by provincial statute in 1858 and were confirmed when it was amended in 1948. They still govern us.
POWERS (WHAT WE CAN DO)
For the said purposes, the Society is empowered in its Charter:
a) to carry out, among persons of Scottish birth or descent, community assistance and youth training activities;
b) to promote historical, educational, patriotic, social, artistic and sporting activities for the purpose of maintaining and celebrating Scottish traditions;
c) to grant educational aid and assistance to those of Scottish birth or descent;
d) to cooperate with other Scottish societies in carrying out such activities as aforesaid.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (WHERE THE FUNDS GO)
Cultural organizations
The Society was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of a Chair in Canadian-Scottish Studies at McGill University. We also provide funding to the following organizations to promote Scottish culture and traditions:
- Black Watch Pipes & Drums
- Black Watch Cadets
- 78th Fraser Highlanders
- Highland Cadet Corps
- Montreal Pipes and Drums
- Quebec Piping & Drumming Society
- Montreal Highland Games Committee
- Celtic Music Festival
- Osler Library—McGill University
- Atwater Library Scottish Collection
- Montreal Highland Dancing Association
In addition, we provide funding for the following awards and scholarships: the Highland Dancing Scholarship, the Keith Radley Hutchison Award (piping), and the St. Andrew’s Society Scholarship for Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing.
We are also carrying out renovations of the cemetery sites held by the Society, and completing a project to digitize our archives and make them available for consultation and research.
Assistance to Persons in Need
Our Community Assistance Program exists to help individuals who find themselves in emergency financial need. Our objective is to help such persons get back on their feet or to bridge the gap until government programs begin to provide help. The level of assistance ranges from food vouchers to more substantial assistance given to patients undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing a financial crisis.
Education
We provide scholarships for about 50 students in various post-secondary programs of study. We also provide funding to McGill University, Concordia University, Bishop’s University, the University of Guelph, and to the Presbyterian College.
