02/18/08

Our Mission

First formed as the St. Andrews Society of the Inland Empire in 1955, the Society adheres to the original purposes set out in the Bylaws:

    To encourage the study and promotion of Scottish history, literature, music, dance, customs, sports and culture;

    To organize and promote an observation of Robert Burns Birthday (January 25th) each year:

    To encourage and participate in the observance of other cultural events for public education and entertainment.

History

ORIGINS OF THE SAINT ANDREW’S SOCIETY OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST

In 1936, John “Scotty” Cameron spear-headed an effort on the part of many Scots in the Inland Empire to sponsor an all Scottish picnic at Kellogg. Many folk from Washington, Idaho and Canada traveled by buses and cars to gather with their friends.  Out of this effort was born the Scottish Picnic Association, which used to annually sponsor a big picnic on the last Sunday of July.  The perfect setting for this much-anticipated event is Lake Coeur d’Alene City Park.  Piping, dancing, singing and talks on things Scottish are the order of the day to the hundreds who attended.  Through the years the pipe band from Kimberly, BC attended and played an important part in making the picnics successful.  Spokane’s own Angus Scott Pipe Band is named so in honor of the Pipe Major of that band.

Following the gathering of 1955, a number of the Scots in the Picnic Association decided to organize a St. Andrews Society in this area.