Scottish History & Heritage

ScotFestBC Cultural Workshops

Each year at ScotFestBC, the British Columbia Highland Games, a lively program of Cultural Workshops offers festival-goers a chance to go beyond spectating and dive into Scottish heritage hands-on. Proudly presented by the United Scottish Cultural Society and the Scottish Cultural Centre Society, the workshops span music, language, dance, history, and artisan traditions.

Recent programs have included:

  • The Rise of the East Coast Fiddle: an interactive look at Cape Breton & Scottish fiddling with Annika Wilson

  • Olympians, Heroes and Politicians: 128 Years of BC’s Caledonian Games: history presented with images, stories and photos by Neil MacLean

  • Fifty Years a Kiltmaker: Robert MacDonald discussing craftsmanship, materials, and trade through decades of experience

  • Gaelic in the Glen: performances and discussions by the Vancouver Gaelic Choir on the legacy of Gaelic song and language in BC

At ScotFestBC, these workshops are often held in the Cultural Tent and are designed to be engaging for all ages and levels of prior knowledge. Whether you’re curious about bagpipes, Gaelic, fiddling, or the history behind the kilts, there’s something to capture your interest.

SFU’s Annual St. Andrew’s & Caledonian Lecture Series

Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Scottish Studies hosts the St. Andrew’s & Caledonian Lecture Series, an annual public lecture showcasing distinguished scholars, authors, and performers who share new perspectives on Scotland’s history, culture, and its global connections. The series has become a cornerstone of Scottish studies in Canada, open to both the public and academic audiences.

Over the years, lecture themes have explored a wide range of topics, such as:

  • People and Profits: Scots in India, 1690-1820
  • Rescuing from Oblivion: The Highland Society of London and the Preservation and Promotion of Highland Culture in the British Empire
  • The 1715 Jacobite Rising as News: How the Dramas of Rebellion Were Turned into Cultural Memory While the Conflict Was Unfolding
  • “Engrave Me on Your Heart”: The Material Culture of Jacobitism

Each year’s lecture highlights the richness of Scottish heritage while offering fresh insights into its continuing relevance today. Events are often followed by a reception with music or informal discussion, encouraging dialogue between scholars and the community.