History of Scots in London
Scots living in London have long been involved in their local communities. After the union of the crowns in 1603 and in subsequent years, Scots founded countless institutions based in London, many of them long ago. The 1911 census recorded around 90,000 first generation Scots living in London and the surrounding counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Kent and Essex.
During the Great War, Scots in London belonged to organisations that supported and offered succour to compatriots passing through, or themselves served on the front line. A century later, ten of these organisations - churches and charities, clubs and societies, as well as Scottish regiments based in London - and each with its own focus and with Great War stories to tell, came together to commemorate end of that war, and to honour the roles that Scots in London had played.
In addition to a series of events across London, a commemorative book was published in 2018, with chapters by each of the organisations. It was officially launched by our Patron, HRH the Princess Royal, who also contributed the foreword to the book.
Scots in London today
Building on that collaborative work, and not least at the urging of our Patron, we re-formed as Scots in London to promote and help coordinate the activities of our members and other Scottish organisations in London through the media of this website and other social/digital media.
In addition, Scots in London will be co-promoting events aimed at raising funds for charities supported by the Scots in London Forum and Trust. Our Events Diary is designed tell you about events you may be interested in and to help you plan which to attend, whether you are in London for a few days, or live or are coming to live here.
Who We Are
The Scots in London Forum comprises institutions that promote Scottish culture and heritage, or serve exiled Scots living and working in the London area.
- Two charities: ScotsCare, and Forces Children Scotland (formerly the Royal Caledonian Education Trust)
- Two societies: the Burns Club of London and the Caledonian Society of London
- Two membership clubs: The Caledonian Club and London Scottish Rugby
- The London Scottish Regiment [to be confirmed]
- London’s two Scottish Churches, St Columba’s and Crown Court
- The Scottish Business Network
- Scotland House London: a hub space in Blackfriars, run in partnership by the Scottish Government; Scottish Enterprise; Highlands and Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland.
