The United Scottish Cultural Society is a registered BC non-profit organization with representation from various Scottish organizations located in the Metro Vancouver area. The mission of the USCS is
- to organize, facilitate and promote Scottish cultural activities and events,
- educate and disseminate knowledge of the Scottish culture, heritage, language, music, dance and art to the public at large,
- to operate in collaboration with Scottish cultural organizations in Metro Vancouver and
- to do the same as a non-profit organization.
By joining the USCS, you are supporting piping and drumming, highland dancing, cultural activities, Scottish heavy events. Click here to become a member. ScotFestBC is run by the Games Organizing Committee of the USCS (see photo below)
2024 Board of Directors
Peter Richards - President - president@scotfestbc.com
Joan Drabyk - Secretary - secretary@scotfestbc.com
Nicola McLaren - Treasurer - treasurer@scotfestbc.com
Cilla Bachop - Director
Daryl Hutchings - Vice President
Derek Davidson - Director
Rene Cusson - Director
Hugh Aspinall - Director
Kim Drabyk - Director
Doreen Smith - Director
Marc Carmichael - Director
Gary Jones - Director
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Executive Director Mike Chisholm
Financial Manager Alan Stewart
Scottish Cultural Centre Society (SCCS)
The Scottish Cultural Centre Society s a registered charity whose purpose is to administer and manage the Scottish Cultural Centre located in south-west Vancouver and provide and fund Scottish cultural education. The Centre is a great location for weddings and events, with meeting rooms, a great hall, kitchen facilities and of course, access to Scottish entertainment. Click HERE for more information. The SCCS is a sponsor of the very popular Cultural Tent at ScotFest BC: The British Columbia Highland Games.
B.C. Highland Dancing Association (BCHDA)
Formally established in 1934, the BCHDA is the major body of highland dancers and teachers in British Columbia. The BCHDA hosts an annual series of competitions including the BC Provincial Closed Highland Dancing Championship and the BC Open Highland Dancing Championships. The Vancouver Open Championship is held at ScotFestBC: The British Columbia Highland Games. To learn more, visit the website or Facebook page.
British Columbia Pipers' Association (BCPA)
A registered charity, the BC Pipers' Association achieves its purpose through fostering, promoting, organizing a variety of events for the playing (competitions, festivals) and teaching (education, workshops, seminars, developmental bursaries) of the Great Highland Bagpipe, Scottish-style drumming, and pipe bands in BC, Washington and Oregon. For further details, visit the website.
Gaelic Society of Vancouver/ Comunn Gàidhlig Bhancoubhair
The motto, “Follow closely traditions of your ancestry”/”Lean gu dluth ricliu do shinnsir” has inspired members of this society since its inception in 1908. Established to foster matters of interest to Celts everywhere, the society cultivates a more general knowledge of the language, literature and music of the Gael. For details regarding events, and how to contact us, visit our Facebook page and website.
Moray, Nairn & Banff Association
Instituted in 1931 by the then recently arrived Scots from the Shires of Moray, Nairn and Banff, the Association provides a common meeting place where members can share memories and preserve traditions, literature and history of those Shires and of Scotland at large.
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Vancouver Branch (RSCDS Vancouver)
Scottish Country Dancing is the social dancing of Scotland - as opposed to Highland Dancing which is the athletic dance from the North of Scotland which requires a high level of strength and skill. Scottish Country Dancing was introduced to BC in the 1930's and is still one of the largest groups of dancers outside Scotland. The RSCDS always welcome new dancers to any of the clubs in the Metro Vancouver from White Rock in the south, Langley in the east to North and West Vancouver. Scottish Country Dancing is fun and great for fitness and brain health. For further information regarding classes and events, visit our website.
St. Andrew’s and Caledonian Society
The St. Andrew's and Caledonian Society in Vancouver was formed on September 10th 1886 and is the oldest existing organization of its kind in Vancouver. The society was established only one month after the pioneer settlement on Burrard Inlet became Vancouver. The first mayor of Vancouver, Malcolm A. MacLean was the society's first president. The objectives of the society are to provide relief and mutual assistance to natives of Scotland and their descendants, to encourage a national spirit and to promote Scottish music and literature. The society sponsored the annual Caledonian Games (now ScotFestBC), held banquets honouring the poet Robert Burns and celebrated St. Andrews Day. Promoting these events and cultural elements are still a large part of the Society's goals today.