The Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University provides a focal point for faculty, students and members of the community interested in exploring Scottish history and culture and the relationship between Scotland and Canada.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SFU PIPE BAND ON WINNING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN!

 

What's Going On?

 

2009-10 Series to Focus on 'Scottish Music and Dance'

After its successful season focusing on 'Scotland Around the Globe' last year, the Centre for Scottish Studies will turn its attention this year to the subject of 'Scottish Music and Dance' for its 2009-10 series of talks with inspiring presentations on Highland piping by B.C. Champions, on Lowland piping by Dr. Gary West of "Pipeline" fame and on Scottish country dancing by instructor Rosemary Coupe.  Events are free and all are welcome to attend.    

Thursday, October 8, 2009: "Going for the Gold: B.C. Pipers in Scotland," a panel discussion featuring world-renowned pipers Alan Bevan, Graham Davidson, Jack Lee, Terry Lee and Angus Macpherson with Hal Senyk as moderator.  7:30-9:00, Room 7000, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W. Hastings Street.  

Thursday, November 5, 2009: "Gold Medal Highland Bagpipe Piping," a presentation and demonstration by Alan Bevan, winner of the Northern Meeting Gold Medal at Inverness (2008) and aggregate winner of the Donald MacLeod Memorial Invitational Competition (2009). 7:30-9:30, Room 7000, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W. Hastings Street.  

Thursday, February 4: "Scottish Traditions of Dance: their Transmission and Reinvention," a presentation and demonstration by Rosemary Coupe.  7:30-9:30, Room 1900, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W. Hastings Street.  

St. Andrews and Caledonian Society Lecture: 
 
Dr. Gary West, Head of the Department of Celtic and Scottish Studies, will deliver this year’s annual St. Andrews and Caledonian Society lecture.  His talk, entitled  'Pipers without Kilts: Survival and Revival in the Scottish Lowland Bagpipe Tradition,’ explores a much understudied aspect of Scottish piping. Gary West learned his piping with the much-acclaimed Vale of Atholl pipe band with whom he played for 18 years. He joined the band Ceolbeg in 1988, and was a founding member of the Scottish ‘supergroup’ Clan Alba in 1991. He is in regular demand as a recording session player and has performed on over 20 CDs. Gary also presents BBC Radio Scotland’s weekly specialist piping programme, Pipeline.  His talk will be held in Room 1420 SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W. Hastings Street on Wed., Dec. 2 at 8:00.  Reception to follow.  

 

"Robert Burns in a Transatlantic Context"

The Centre for Scottish Studies held the first ever conference to investigate the impact of Robert Burns in the Americas. Click here for more information.  

 

Linking Burnsians Around the World

The Centre for Scottish Studies organized a Virtual Burns Celebration in honour of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. At at 1 p.m. Pacific Standard time on Jan. 25 , as Burns lovers in Vancouver gathered at the statue in Stanley Park, participants in North America, Europe and Australasia sent greetings to each other via internet. It was our 21st-century affirmation that "Man to man, the world o'er/Shall brothers be for a' that."

Photographic exhibit linking Scotland and Canada

Check out former CSS Co-ordinator Harry McGrath's latest project, "This is who we are: Joining Scotland and Canada in Photographic Conversation."  After viewing the "Galleries," you can add your own comments and upload your own photos.