Wee News

The St. Andrew's Society publishes a newsletter every two weeks, the "Wee News," which is emailed to our members and friends on Wednesday afternoons. Containing Society news as well as Scottish-themed articles and snippets, it is great way to keep informed about local events and other items of interest to the Scottish community.
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St. Andrew's Society News - May 7, 2026

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. VERSION FRANÇAISE St. Andrew's Society of Montreal Wee News May 7, 2026 In this issue Only three weeks until WhiskyFête Scottish World Cup watch parties Next meeting of the Book Club Scots care! Supporting the Atwater Library Meet a student in the educational aid program Fundraising supper for the Montreal Piping and Drumming School Only three weeks remaining! WhiskyFête: An exceptional whisky tasting experience Thursday, May 28 6:30 p.m. The Mount Royal Club Not all whisky tastings are the same. WhiskyFête is known among enthusiasts for its stellar selection of whiskies, beautiful setting, and refined atmosphere. What your evening at WhiskyFête includes: A curated selection of premium and aged whiskies—including expressions such as The Dalmore 21, Macallan Sherry Oak 18, and Glenfarclas 35 Year Old An elegant and intimate setting in the exclusive Mount Royal Club Fine food prepared by the Club’s kitchen The opportunity to support The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) Opportunities to experience whiskies of this calibre are rare outside private tastings. Join us for an evening of exceptional whisky in support of The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital). Tickets and information   Scotland World Cup watch parties Don't forget to let us know if you're interested in cheering on Scotland in the World Cup with us this June! We are organizing watch parties at downtown pubs so that you can catch all the excitement along with your friends in the Scottish community. Information and RSVP Next meeting of the Book Club Sunday, June 14 3 p.m. Maison Forget, 1195 Sherbrooke Street West Join fellow members and friends for a shared reading experience that promises lively discussion and good company. Our next selection is Wildgoose by Scottish author Sally Evans. In this vibrant novel, fictional poet cousins Maeve Cartier and Eric Grysewood navigate ambition, admiration, and rivalry as they pursue their callings. Set against lively literary backdrops, their journey unfolds amid mishaps, lost poems, and unlikely encounters, leading each toward their ultimate destiny. All are welcome, and there's no need to be an expert reader—just bring your curiosity and a love of stories. We have imported a limited number of copies from Scotland; they are available for loan or purchase ($15). Please contact the office for more information. RSVP for the Book Club (left to right) Margo Pollock, Executive Director, St. Andrew's Society; with Lynn Verge, Executive Director, and Lavina Alonzo, Manager of Administration and Development, Atwater Library Scots care! Supporting the Atwater Library One of Montreal’s oldest independent libraries, Atwater Library is a vibrant community hub offering educational, cultural, and wellness programs. With roots in the city’s English-speaking community—including strong Scottish influences—it continues a tradition of learning, inclusion, and public service. The St. Andrew's Society is proud to support this vibrant community institution. The next meeting of the Atwater Library Book Club will feature a title from the library's Scottish collection: Barometer Rising by Canadian author Hugh MacLennan. Set in Halifax during the aftermath of the 1917 explosion, this novel is considered one of the great classics of Canadian literature. The meeting will take place at the Atwater Library on Wednesday, May 13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome! For more information, please visit the Atwater Library website. Meet a student in the educational aid program The St. Andrew's Society has supported education throughout its history, and is proud to be able to provide financial assistance to qualified students. Many thanks to our members whose generosity makes this program possible. Scots care! Jack Forbes is completing a BA at Concordia University in English Literature and Creative Writing. He will graduate in the spring of 2026 and plans to continue into the MA program at Concordia in Creative Writing. As part of the creative research project of his graduate studies, Jack plans to write a book of poetry that engages with the early twentieth-century Scottish novel Sunset Song, written by Lewis Grassic Gibbon, and set in the Northeast of Scotland, where Jack grew up. Sunset Song beautifully tracks the hardship of a changing rural community around the First World War. Jack was born in Aberdeen and was brought up in Stonehaven, where he spent the first twenty years of his life. He has lived in London, Melbourne, Edinburgh, and Montreal, working in cocktail bars. He started his BA at Concordia in September 2021. Jack hopes to continue his studies for as long as possible and to write and develop many creative projects along the way. He is heavily inspired by the Irish poet Seamus Heaney. Jack's work explores the sensory complexities of memory, particularly his younger years growing up in the Northeast of Scotland. The poem here featured, "thrawn," is the first in his self-published chapbook Auld Fairlies, which explores the difficulties of navigating memory, particularly after losing grandparents. He wishes for his work to bring back their voices, and particularly to keep alive the quickly fading dialects that have disappeared from his life. You can find Jack making drinks at the Cloakroom bar at weekends. He greatly appreciates the support of the St. Andrew's Society. i. thrawn     We stare through                the puddle of this life               but reflected,                            we see a face    and the ripples do not let it settle.  An Evening of Pipes, Whisky and Pie Saturday May 30 6 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion—Lachine Branch 085/090 3015 Rue Henri Dunant, Lachine Join the Montreal Piping and Drumming School for a delicious Scottish supper, whisky tastings, a silent auction, and performances of pipes and drums! This annual fundraiser will contribute to keeping the school's tuition fees low. Information and tickets Upcoming events Thursday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. WhiskyFête Mount Royal Club Information and tickets> Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. An Evening of Pipes, Whisky and Pie Fundraiser for the Montreal Piping and Drumming School Information and tickets> Sunday, August 2 Montreal Highland Games and Festival Douglas Hospital Grounds, Verdun Information and tickets> Friday, November 27 St. Andrew's Charity Ball Marriott Château Champlain Hotel Information> Published monthly, the Scottish Banner is the Scottish community’s largest international newspaper for ex-pat Scots or those with an interest in Scottish culture and tradition. Read the latest issue on our website! Founded in 1835, the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal is a charitable society dedicated to the assistance of Montreal’s Scottish community, to education, and to the preservation of Scottish arts and culture. Support the St. Andrew's Society Copyright © 2026 St. Andrew's Society of Montreal. All rights reserved. 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