On 28th May 2028, the Highland Society of London celebrates its 250th anniversary as an organisation that has been working for the Highlands and all Highlanders to support and encourage the best of Highland heritage and culture. We wish to commemorate this significant milestone with an exciting programme of events that will build a legacy for the future of the Society well beyond our 250th year.
HRH The Princess Royal, who has recently agreed to become our new Chief ahead of this anniversary, is excited to be supporting our Society and is keen to be involved in our anniversary and participate at our events as much as she possibly can.
Our focus for the road to the 250th is as follows:
1. Host an aspirational event to mark the 250th anniversary in 2028 along with a programme of related events in the run up to the anniversary itself between 2025 and 2028.
o We are delighted that our new Chief has suggested hosting some of these gatherings at the Palace of Holyrood House and St James’s Palace.
o With permission, St James Palace would provide a stunning location for the larger ‘Gala’ dinner in 2028.
o There will also be further events to support our vision and continue to raise awareness of the HSOL and our wider interests and grant partnerships.
2. Strengthen the Society by engaging with existing members, welcoming new members, with a specific focus on the next generation, and developing relationships with North American, and potentially other interest groups, to widen our support base.
3. Bolster our endowment investment portfolio with the aspiration of donating at least £100k each year to a transformative cause.
o To enable the HSOL to make sustainable and impactful community donations well beyond 2028 will mean that we need to raise over £2m in the years ahead from membership, and wider donations.
4. To identify and support the delivery of a major heritage project to provide a lasting legacy of the Society’s 250th anniversary.
o We have chosen the redevelopment project at the West Highland Museum (WHM), Fort William, to become the Society’s core project from 2026 onwards.
o The WHM are planning to transform their current museum and grow visitor numbers by 50% by expanding into adjacent buildings. This will improve the flow, welcome displays and shop through a major £6m investment.
o They have already raised £1.2m from donations and a recent legacy and have applications being considered by The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government’s cultural regeneration grant scheme.
o We will be looking to raise at least £100k towards this project which is planned to start in late 2026 and hopes to be complete on or around our 250th anniversary in 2028.
o We selected this project because of its power to transform Fort William Town centre, increase a wider understanding of its heritage and to make a real lasting difference for the community. This will also strengthen historical links between the museum and the Society.