The North British Society of Halifax was established in 1768 to support the Scottish and Gaelic community in Halifax at a time when Scottish immigration to Halifax was at its height.

Founded 250 years ago to support the needs of our Scottish and Gaelic ancestors in the new land after the final defeat of Highland Clans during the Jacobite rising at the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746.  English persecution of the Scottish Highlanders and hard economic times forced many Gaels and Scots to leave Scotland, braving the treacherous Atlantic crossing to settle in Nova Scotia. Today, we are the oldest Scottish cultural society outside of the United Kingdom.

The Scots support groups such as the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band and The Scots’ Highland Cadet Corps, and our scholarships support both formal and community based learning with annual scholarships given to Dalhousie University and Citadel High School students as well as bursaries for youth studying Gaelic and Gaelic Arts through Colaisde na Gaidhlig - The Gaelic College.

Over the past few years we have also helped to perpetuate Scottish and Gaelic culture through public events such as the annual Veronica MacIsaac Apparel fashion show, the highland dance troop Change of Step and their production East Coast Celtic, the Halifax Celtic Festival and the annual Robbie Burns Ski Day at Wentworth.

The Scots also hold the stewardship of Victoria Park and have erected monument of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Sir William Alexander. 

More information about The Scots can be found at www.facebook.com/thescotshalifax