The Royal Celtic Society was founded in 1820 by the renowned General David Stewart of Garth together with several other highland gentlemen. The first meeting took place at Oman’s Tavern, which stood near the site now occupied by Register House in Edinburgh. Sir Walter Scott was a member, and the Society played a prominent role in those enlightenment days when Edinburgh was known as “the Athens of the North”.

This was also the period of the great revival of interest in all things highland. This revival paid an important part in the survival of Scotland’s Celtic identity, and the Royal Celtic Society was instrumental in this, and was accorded a high place of honour in the important visit of George IV to Edinburgh in 1822.

It is as important today as it was then to maintain and promote interest in the history, traditions, language, and the arts of the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and to encourage the traditional and correct wear of the Highland Dress.

Membership for the Royal Celtic Society is by invitation of the Council, and the members include nobility, professional and business men and women with a passionate interest in the aims of the Society.

The Society makes annual donations to a number of Highland Games, and other Scottish gatherings and folk museums to support the culture and traditions of the Scottish Highlands. Pipe bands, Clarsach events and educational bodies including Gaelic playgroups also benefit.

The Society hosts a formal dinner for members and friends in a prestigious venue in Edinburgh biennially, and other informal meetings may be held.

If you are interested in becoming a member, and wish to contribute towards the aims of the Royal Celtic Society, please write to the Secretary :

Mr J Gordon Cameron WS,
25 Rutland Street,
Edinburgh EH1 2RN.