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Scottish Heritage Organizations & Web Sites - Washington, DC - Virginia - Maryland - West Virginia

Scottish Heritage Organizations       Scottish Music and Dance       Scottish Sports and Athletics       Scottish Pipe Bands       Scottish Heritage Web Sites      

Scottish Heritage Organizations

The American Clan Gregor Society - Deputy Chieftain for the District of Columbia (DC Metropolitan Area Incl. Northern Virginia). The Society has three objectives: 1) To gather MacGregors together in clanship; 2) to collect and publish historical and genealogical material and help educate MacGregors about the history of the Clan in Scotland and America; and, 3) to aid descendants within the Clan.

The Clans of Scotland, USA [was at http://www.clansofscotland.org/] had been formed in Alexandria, Virginia in 1962 as a way of promoting good fellowship among those people residing in the Washington area, and beyond, who are interested in Scottish culture.  They participated in social and cultural/educational programs as well as fundraising and philanthropy projects
  At their meeting on November 5, 2011, the Clans of Scotland was dissolved.  However, Clan Wallace has been kind enough to accept all the organization's material assets and will be displaying their research material, tartans, etc. at most of the games they attend.  You're invited to visit them at the games and where you'll be made most welcome.  All remaining monetary assets are being donated to various other non-profit organizations as designated by the Clan Council, in accordance with State and Federal regulations.  The website and Facebook page have been shut down.

The Saint Andrew's Society of Baltimore, Maryland was founded in 1806, in the city of Baltimore, not long after the American Revolution.  The purpose was to raise and keep money available to help Scottish immigrants, seamen and descendants of Scots in times of need; and to maintain Scottish heritage and traditions.  The Society has upheld that purpose by contributing to community activities, offering assistance to Scots and by displaying our Scottish traditions and heritage in many forms throughout Maryland and the neighboring states.

The St. Andrews Society of the Eastern Shore, Maryland - a social and benevolent organization which offers educational and charitable assistance to Scottish men and women, their descendants, and their widows or widowers.  Membership in the Society is available to both men and women of Scottish birth or ancestry.  The Society is an independent organization and is not affiliated with any religious or secular group.  To perpetuate Scottish culture and traditions, the society supports instruction in pipes and drums and the Scottish harp, as well as classes in curling, and Scottish country dancing.  Social activities include luncheons, meetings, an annual picnic and annual dinner.

The Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, DC - With origins dating back to 1760, this is a charitable and social organization of men of Scottish birth or ancestry.  It is not affiliated with any religious institution.  The present Society was incorporated in the District of Columbia on May 18, 1908.  Among its earlier members was James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the United States.  The Society succeeds in the national capital area the old Saint Andrew's Society of Alexandria, Virginia, founded about 1760.

The Fauquier Scottish Heritage Society (Fauquier County, Virginia) is a group of individuals interested in promoting, preserving, and expanding Scottish heritage, culture, and history.  It is not a clan society, but an umbrella organization that accepts anyone who shares this interest.  Contact Jim Nimmo at 540-428-3728 or by .

The Highland Society of Harford County was incorporated for the preservation of the spirit, dress, music, and antiquities of the Scottish people and dedicated to the promotion of these traditions among those of Scottish ancestry within Harford County, Maryland, and its environs.  A Web site is planned.  Contact David C. Robinson at 410-272-0328 or by .

Scottish Music and Dance

The Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club is for people who like Scottish fiddle music - whether you play it, want to learn it, or just like listening.  Sheet music of Scottish tunes, clearly written and with chords, is provided at every monthly meeting and mailed to members who can't attend meetings.  The music comes from a wide variety of sources, old and new, published and unpublished, and by the end of each year members have collected a book of Scottish tunes unavailable at any store.  Book I contains tunes from the 1993-1994 year and a new book has been added each year.  For more information, contact:  Elke Baker, Scottish Fiddle Music, 2889 Evergreen Way, Ellicott City, MD 21042-1052;  301-854-9161.

The Washington, DC and Northern Virginia Branches of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society  For more information:  contacts.

The Thistle Dancers - a group of talented young dancers who perform the traditional dances of Scotland throughout Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the Washington DC area.  Many of the members are currently competing successfully at various levels, ranging from Beginners to Premier.  They also cover a great spectrum of ages, and all perform with an air of professionalism and great enthusiasm.  Susan W. Hyams, a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, is their founder, director and instructor.  They have schools located in Burke, VA; Alexandria, VA; and Lusby, MD.  Info:  9811 Pebble Weigh Ct., Burke, VA 22015;  703-913.6143

Scottish Sports and Athletics

The Mid-Atlantic Scottish Athletics (M.A.S.A.) was founded in 1999 by Heavy Events Athletes and Judges in the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States to organize and promote the Heavy Events.  M.A.S.A. is now the official sanctioning organization of the majority of the Heavy Events competitions held in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky.

The Potomac Curling Club, founded in 1961, has been in its current location in Laurel, Maryland since 2002.  Attached to the Gardens Ice House, the club is a four sheet facility with a warm room, kitchen area, and locker rooms. We also have fully serviced kitchen, and a pro shop for any curling related items that you may need.  The facility is entirely run by the volunteer efforts of our members, including making and maintaining the ice, ensuring that the building is in shape, hosting bonspiels, the 2004 USWCA Senior Women's Bonspiel, the 2005 USCA Mixed National Championship, and recruiting new members.  Info: 13810 Old Gunpowder Road, Laurel, MD 20707;  301-362-1116;  

The Virginia Scottish Games Association holds an event each year in July at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA.  This celebrates Alexandria's Scottish Heritage with Scottish Athletics, Dancing, Music, Crafts, Food and other fascinating Scottish events.  Tickets may be purchased on-line.  Info Line at 703-912-1943 or VSGA, P.O. Box 1338, Alexandria, VA 22313.

Scottish Pipe Bands

 The City of Alexandria Pipe Band can trace its beginning to 1971, when a small group of pipers and drummers began playing together in Alexandria.  Fortunately, the Tourist Council, and several prominent businessmen, took an interest in the group, and were instrumental in obtaining city sponsorship for a pipe band as an appropriate way to celebrate Alexandria's strong Scottish heritage.  The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums was formally organized early in 1972.  Information:  Band Secretary, , 703-978-7695.

The City of Washington Pipe Band - Washington, D.C. can thank the United States Air Force for its proud pipe band history.  Eager to distinguish itself from the older services, the Air Force set about recruiting some of the top pipers and drummers in the United States in the 1950s.  The U.S. Air Force Pipe Band quickly established an international reputation for itself in ceremonial duties at the White House, Arlington National Cemetary and other landmarks in the NationŐs Capital.  All that was missing was a competition band.  Since Air Force regulations prevented the band from showing its talent in the pipe band competition circuit, members of the band joined with local talent in the Washington area in 1961 to form the predecessor band.  In 1993 the band decided to rename themselves as The City of Washington Pipe Band.  Information:

The Washington D.C. Regional Police Pipe Band is made up of law enforcement professionals; local, state, and federal in the Washington DC area. Our current strength is 28 members, representing 12 different law enforcement agencies.  The Washington DC area is defined as that distance which one is willing to travel to the weekly practice.  For most, that means Washington DC and the surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia (although one member does trudge in from West Virginia).  Membership is also open to our counterparts in the military.  Civilian membership can be granted on a case by case basis, providing the individual submits to a background check and is willing to become affiliated with a professional law enforcement organization.  Membership is not limited to persons of Celtic descent, and is open to everyone meeting the other requirements regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, age, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, or shoe size.  Information:  

Scottish Heritage Web Sites

The Capital Scot ® - Information about Scottish heritage, Scotland, organizations, and events of interest to Scots and Scots-at-heart living and working in the Washington, D.C. area.  You will access links to information about Scottish places of interest, Scotland's history, clans, societies, book reviews, the Reformation in Scotland, the Scottish Literary Forum, King Robert the Bruce, past feature articles, Scottish holidays, and genealogy research.  See more information about this non-commercial site at About Capital Scot.

Celtic Events and Groups in DC - information about dance, music, concerts, festivals, a calendar, living history events, shopping, and more ...

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