THE SCOTTISH STUDIES FOUNDATION is a registered charitable organization dedicated to advancing the study of Scottish history and culture, including its many Canadian dimensions. In 2004 we endowed the landmark Scottish Studies Foundation Chair of Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph — the acclaimed academic centre in North America for research, graduate training, and teaching on Scottish history and culture. We also support students through Scottish Studies scholarships and sponsor conferences and cultural events. Please click here for information on how you can join our active community and support our cause.
R. H. Thomson giving "The Address to the Haggis"
On Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the Arts & Letters Club in Toronto, internationally acclaimed Canadian actor R. H. Thomson (Robert Holmes Thomson CM) received the Scottish Studies Society's Annual Scot of the Year Award. Photographs of the event, including a video recording of R.H.'s recital of the Robert Burns poem To a Haggis, can be seen here.
On October 28, 2023, Professor Paul Grant gave an online talk on the Supernatural Fiction of Scottish author and past Governor General of Canada, John Buchan. As a precursor to his talk he made a recording of Skule Skerry, one of Buchan's short stories. To listen, click here.
In 2022, former publisher-turned-author Douglas Gibson (pictured above) donated the rights to have his latest book, GREAT SCOTS: Celebrating Canadian Writers with Links to Scotland, published by the Scottish Studies Foundation to be used as a fundraiser for the Scottish Studies program at the University of Guelph. We are excited to have received the first batch of books from the printer, all of which have been carefully inscribed by Doug. The book is full of fascinating anecdotes from Doug's research and his career in publishing. It features 35 writers with links to Scotland, from Sir Alexander Mackenzie to Joseph Boyden, and is illustrated by co-author Anthony Jenkins who served as editorial cartoonist, caricaturist and writer with the Globe and Mail for four decades. To obtain your copy of this captivating new book, click here.
Having completed the funding of the Digital Archive Room at the University of Guelph, our focus now shifts to the funding of in-course scholarships for Scottish Studies students. More information here.
PAST POSTINGS
A selection of items that have appeared on our website over the years have been posted here.