Posts

The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew H. George MacGillivray Memorial Award

Image
H. George MacGillivray (1920 – 1984) was a dedicated member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. He served as President from 1965 to 1966, and was an avid volunteer for the Society. In honour of his service, the H. George MacGillivray Memorial Award was established in 1985. This award is presented during the Feast of Saint Andrew to an individual or group who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Society during the preceding year. The award trophy is displayed each year at the Feast of Saint Andrew, and consists of a Georgian Pewter Mug mounted on a circular wooden base, decorated by i ndividual engraved plaques displaying the names of past recipient. The recipient receives a smaller Pewter Mug with bearing the recipient’s name, date of the award, and inscription: “The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew H. George MacGillivray Memorial Award.” Do you know of a deserving Society member/s to be nominated for the The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew H. George MacGilli...
Read more

Calling All Curlers!!!

Image
On October 25, 2025 the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew will be hosting a Curling Funspiel at the Capital Winter Club.   What better way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Scottish heritage in the City than by playing the game the Scots invented!  The Fredericotn Society of Saint Andrew and the Capital Winter Club have a great deal in common! It was in 1854 that John Neill, along with fellow Society members, decided that Fredericton should have a curling club.  Mr Neill had immigrated to New Brunswick from Whitburn (West Lothian Scotland) in 1842, and by 1854 was a well-established merchant in the city, who operated the hardware business of Stewart & Neil. He was also a member of the Society, having joined in 1847 — and serving as Secretary (1847 – 1852), First Vice-President (1857 - 1858), and Second Vice-President (1871 - 1872).  As John Neill later recalled, the Scottish tradition of curling was very foreign to Fredericton prior to 1854. Perhaps it was...
Read more

Pipers on the Balcony - Performance Schedule

Image
Commencing Wednesday July 9 -  The The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew, in parnership with the Fredericton Region Museum and the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band are offering a full line-up of weekly performances on the museum’s scenic Balcony.  Stop by to enjoy a featured piper every Wednesday afternoon (from 12:15 to 12:45):  July 9 - Sandy Gordon  July 16 - Colton Patterson  July 23 - Andrew Rogers  July 30 - Eric Horncastle  August 6 - Brent Webb  August 13 - Brent Webb  August 20 - Andrew Rogers August 27 - Brent Webb  While there, you can also order lunch!  Picnics on the Balcony   Undoubtedly, the Fredericton Region Museum offers one of the best views of Officers’ Square. What better way to round off (or simply begin) your summer afternoon museum experience than to enjoy a delicious healthy lunch on our balcony!  All for just $20–25 (including museum admission), you can come for the music, and stay...
Read more

We're Celebrating Everything Scottish in Fredericton this Summer!

Image
In honour of our 200th anniversary the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew recently unveiled a new commemorative exhibition in the Fredericton Region Museum entitled “Celebrating 200 Years of Scottish Benevolence in Fredericton.” The opening took place on May 25, with Her Worship Kate Rogers (herself a proud descendant of Scottish immigrants to Fredericton) officiating. Mayor Rogers spoke of the significant contributions of Scots to the formation and growth of Fredericton as a City.  Celebrating 200 Years of Scottish Benevolence  The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew was established on November 30 1825, as a benevolent organisation intended to provide "relief for Distressed Natives of Scotland and their Descendants.” The first President was Peter Fraser, who among his many roles of provincial significance, was the financial backer of the Bank of New Brunswick. Other founding members included John Simpson (first Mayor of Fredericton) who served as Secretary, artist George N ...
Read more

Announcing the Winning 200th Anniversary Pipe Tune

Image
The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew is very pleased to announce the winner of their 200th anniversary bagpipe tune competition: a 2/4 march by piper Brent Webb.  Brent Webb began learning the bagpipes in 1998 when he was nine years old. He soon became a talented member of the Fredericton Junior Pipe Band, and gained the honour of Pipe Major, playing with the Band as they progressed in musical ability from a grade 5 to a grade 3 band. Subsequently, Brent played and competed with the senior Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band at both grade 2 and 1 levels.  Brent was also highly successful as a solo competitor, culminating in 2022 as recipient of the combined Grade 3, 2, and 1 Hornpipe-Jig prize at the Antigonish Highland Games. During those same games he earned the honour of Champion Supreme for the Atlantic Region in the hornpipe-jig category. Brent's last year of competing solo was 2022 when he lost his sight, although he continued to play with the senior ban...
Read more

Tartan Day - April 6, 2025

Image
We're Celebrating  200 Years!  The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew is very pleased to announce a special commemorative event taking place at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery (Harrison McCain Pavilion) on April 6, 2025 (6 to 8 pm) . In honour of the 200th anniversary of our benevolent organization, we invite you to don your tartan and join us for an evening of Celtic music and dance! Featured performances will include the Fredericton Society of Saintt Andrew Pipe Band, as well as the Shanachie Dancers, and Celtic fiddler Keegan Manson-Curry. A special tribute will also be made to Honorary Piper Samuel Lean (1873-1953) who was one of the founding members of the Society's pipe band.  2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew (FSSA). Our Society is a registered non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1825. Our original role was "to afford relief to indigent Natives of Scotland, their Widows, and all connected w...
Read more

We're Looking Forward to 2025! - NAIGHEACHD CUIRT 2024 - Volume 244

Image
As I complete my third term as President of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew in its 199th year, my thoughts go to the many experiences that our Scottish ancestors have dealt with over these two centuries. It was a far different world in 1825 when this organization was formed, and a far different world when the FSSA experienced its centenary in 1925. Indeed, the world in which we find ourselves today, as we approach our bicentennial in 2025, differs greatly from even the last decade. Covid has cost all of us dearly.  Our Society, like others, was forced into isolation and distant relationships through email and Zoom calls. Thank heavens we are back to experiencing in-person meetings and gatherings. Technology has its benefits, but personal interactions are far more important and consequential. My thanks go to all those who have helped to keep the FSSA viable during the past few years. Maxine Campbell has been the institutional memory of the organization and a major force in ...
Read more