The Board of Governors cordially invites and encourages everyone who is Scottish by birth, by heritage or simply by inclination to celebrate Scotland, and the very best qualities of the Scots at Chicago Scots’ 180th annual Saint Andrew’s Day Gala.
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5:00PM: |
A Conversation with The Right Honourable |
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6:00PM: |
Cocktail Reception with Scottish Flair |
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7:00PM: |
Awards Dinner Program Presentation of the Haggis & Banquet Dinner Awards, Toast & Tributes Highland Dance and Bagpipe Performances An unforgettable Musical Celebration of Scotland featuring Jai McDowall, winner of Britian’s
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Highland Evening Dress or Black-Tie Encouraged |
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WHEN
Saturday, December 6, 2025
WHERE
Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
Map and Directions
Gratefully recognizing the legacies and accomplishments of our fellow Scots.
DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN
The Right Honourable Henry McLeish, former First Minister of Scotland
Commemorating a 30-year political career of distinction that included service in Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government as Minister of State for
Scotland and significant contributions to the Scotland Act which established Scotland’s first Parliament in 300 years. His proudest accomplishment as First Minister was mandating free personal care for the elderly. Today, McLeish continues his commitment to seniors as Chair of Brain Health Oversight Committee and Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Scotland.
IN CONVERSATION WITH
Bethany McLean
Bethany McLean is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. She is also a columnist at Yahoo Finance and a contributor to CNBC. Her two books are the The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron and All the Devils Are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis. She lives in Chicago. She has also written two mini books, Shaky Ground: The Strange Saga of the US Mortgage Giants and Saudi America: The Truth About Fracking and How It’s Changing the World. She also serves on the board of the Stigler Center at the University of Chicago. She’s a 1992 graduate of Williams College.
KINSMAN & KINSWOMAN
Kris and Fred Veenbaas
We are grateful to Kris and Fred Veenbaas for 23 years of selfless dedication and volunteer service to Chicago Scots, particularly our Scottish Festival & Highland Games. Together they have logged more than 1,800 volunteer hours across nearly every function of our Games. With infectious optimism they have shared the Scottish spirit of hospitality with thousands of attendees proudly representing our dual mission of culture and care.
When we are far from home or can no longer live at home on our own, we long for that sense of connection, of calm, of coming home. Chicago Scots provide those nourishing bonds of culture, care and community for all.
On 30 November 1845, when Chicago was a small frontier town, population just 12,000, a group of Scots gathered to celebrate Saint Andrew’s Day. They resolved to form an organization to serve the needy and bring something of Scotland, of home to Chicago. Founded as the Illinois Saint Andrew Society at this very event, the Chicago Scots is the first and still oldest charitable and philanthropic organization in Illinois.
This event benefits Chicago Scots’ principal charity, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.