Formed in 1973
The St. Andrew’s Society of Vermont (SASVT) was formed in 1973 by a group of Vermonters of Scottish ancestry, who held their initial meeting in Quechee, Vermont at the first Highland Games.
The Founders
Robert Campbell, William Kennedy, Hugh Laughlin, Melvin MacKinnon, Robert MacLellan, Sir Alasdair T.I. Munro Bt., Dorwin Thomas, and Michael Ware.
St Andrew’s Society of VT Bylaws and Constitution
The First St. Andrew's Society to Admit Women
The Vermont organization was patterned after many other St. Andrew’s Societies around the United States and, indeed, the world. The founders, however, made one fundamental change from the majority of all-male St. Andrew’s Societies: Vermont was one of the first to admit women as well as men of Scottish ancestry to their ranks. In 1993, it also became one of the first to elect a woman as president, Francine C. Page. Since then, there have been three others.
Vermont Governor Proclaims National Tartan Day
Pictured left to right: Gov. Jim Douglas, John Dennis (VP of the SASVT at the time), Bruce Shields, Cedric Farrow.
On April 6, 2008, Governor Douglas signed an official proclamation at the Vermont State House proclaiming April 6 as National and State Tartan Day.
See the Joint Resolution designating April 6 as National Tartan Day in Vermont.
The Vermont Tartan
In 1994, St. Andrew’s Society member Lilias Macbean Hart in conjunction with Andrew Elliots of Selkirk created the Vermont Tartan. The tartan was registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans
by SASVT. The tartan was used by the St. Andrew’s Pipes & Drums who have since disbanded.
Looking Ahead
As was the case for many social organizations, SASVT lost momentum for a few years during COVID. With an aging membership unable to host large events, we hope to attract younger Vermont Scots to join and help shape the future of the organization. We are also welcome those not of Scottish descent who have an interest in learning more about Scottish heritage and culture.
The St. Andrew’s Society of Vermont is interested in connecting and collaborating with like-minded Scottish organizations in New England and nationwide. Please contact us if you have an event or program you would like to co-host or co-sponsor. SASVT has been a sponsor of the Quechee Games since its inception in 1973 and continues to be a sponsor of the NH Highland Games.