In the heart of Westminster stands London Scottish House, a Grade II listed charity-run social enterprise that has been a part of the London community for over 130 years. With strong links to Scotland and the former home of the London Scottish regiments, it is now a Scottish military heritage centre. At its heart stands the Victorian Drill Hall where our Scots in London VE80 Panel event will take place - find out more about the event on 6 May here.
Today London Scottish House is available for event hire and also offers accommodation as well as virtual offices. Spaces to hire include the historic Drill Hall shown below, the Mess and The Queen Elizabeth Room which also houses the bar. Work also continues to commemorate the service of the London Scottish Regiment. This month (March 2025) a new appeal was launched to help restore the Regiment's WWI memorial outside Messines in Belgium.
Designed in 1882 the former Territorial Army Drill Hall was the last miliatry drill hall built in the UK. It was designed by the Scottish architect John MacVicar Anderson to be the home of the London Scottish Regiment. Originally based at Buckingham Gate, the building suffered damage during the Blitz and it was eventually decided to re-build in a new location. The current London Scottish House was completed in 1988.
The drill hall still retains its three War Memoirals and the late-Victorian wrought iron balconies and roof. These balconies provide a stunning view of events taking place on the drill hall floor. They also house another gem - the London Scottish Regimental Museum.
The London Scottish Regimenal Museum
The Museum represents the Regiment’s contribution to the social and military history of both Scotland and London. The Regiment was founded in 1859 and drawn from the Scottish diaspora across London. The Museum is one of only a few private collections to exist and an increasingly rare example of a single regimental museum. As well as telling the stories of the London Scottish Regiment volunteers, the museum gives a fascinating insight into the Scottish diaspora in London through the 19th and 20th centuries. Visiting is by appointment only, for more information please call 0208 049519.
London Scottish Pipes and Drums
London Scottish House is also the home of the Pipes and Drums of The London Scottish. Founded soon after the raising of the London Scottish Regiment the band is now over 150 years old and is considered to be one of the oldest pipe bands in the world. The band continues to wear the full dress uniform of the London Scottish Regiment as it did at its inception in 1860. Their tartan, the ‘Hodden Grey’, is distinctive and unusual, as it has no pattern. The tartan was chosen to blend in with the environment as an early form of military camouflage.
Today the band comprises of around 45 members and aims to be seen as much as possible to maintain awareness of The London Scottish Regiment, the former regimental drill hall, London Scottish House; and the London Scottish Regimental Trusts.
Visit the London Scottish House website for more information about their work and venues.