Chicago Scots received one of 18 global grants announced by the Scottish Government on January 28, 2026. The grant supported the Leadership Symposium on Brain Health & Dementia Care hosted on December 5, 2025 in partnership with the Center for Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago. The event convened leading experts from Scotland and the United States to explore the future of brain health, policy, design, caregiving, and community engagement for those impacted by dementia.
The grant was received from the Scottish Connections Fund, a key initiative launched in 2023 to strengthen Scotland’s global ties and support new projects led by Scottish diaspora communities around the world. This is the first time Chicago Scots has been a recipient of this prestigious global program.
Why This Symposium Matters
Chicago Scots is the only Scottish Society in the world to own and operate an elder care community as its primary charity. Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care in North Riverside, includes the Scottish Home opened in 1910 and the MacLean House, opened in 2016 as one of the first small houses built in Illinois to address rapidly growing needs for dementia care.
Chicago Scots hosted the symposium to shape the future trajectory of its elder care mission thanks to a $14M pioneering gift from the Negaunee Foundation in 2023. Dementia and other cognitive health conditions are projected to increase significantly worldwide in the coming decades. Chicago Scots is committed to transforming Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care into a Center of Excellence in Memory Care. In 2016 the British American Business Council of Chicago presented its Innovation Award to Chicago Scots in recognition of MacLean House’s groundbreaking approach to design, operations and philosophy of care.
The symposium included:
- A keynote address by The Right Honourable Henry McLeish, former First Minister of Scotland and Ambassador for Alzheimer Scotland, who shared insights on Scotland’s national approach to dementia care.
- Three panels of experts explored public policy, advocacy and law; the built, natural and social environment; and lifestyle, culture and care.
- Perspectives from leading academics, practitioners, and advocates from both sides of the Atlantic.
“Scotland is a global leader in brain health. We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the #ScottishConnections Fund for this project. This grant helps the Chicago Scots to embed best practices in Scotland and the United States at the very core of our work to transform Caledonia into a center of memory care excellence,” said, Gus Noble OBE, president of Chicago Scots. “I am enormously proud and grateful that this group of experts has agreed to serve as advisors on our future project. We are strengthening ties between Scotland and the U.S. that will have a profound effect on the care we provide now and into the future.”
The Symposium was funded by Scottish Government USA, Scottish Connections, and the Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust.
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.