Welcome to the Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities!

We're a community of people who come together to celebrate Scottish history, culture, and tradition, and our connections with our Celtic "cousins." If you're interested in Scottish and or Celtic history and tradition, you're more than welcome to join us! Events include traditional celebrations, such as our annual Robert Burns Dinner, Beltane, Tartan Day, Samhain, and St. Andrews Day, and we also support other groups that promote Scottish/Celtic traditions, heritage, and culture. You may find us at the Celtic Festival and Highland Games, hosting an annual Scottish Golf Day, or at Blackhawk Pipes and Drums performances.

It is a great organization of friendly people, and we are always accepting new members. Scottish heritage or ancestry is not required. Please see our membership page, and do join us at an event.

2020 Events . . . ?

Oh, the plans we had for 2020. One by one those plans fell away, due to sensible precautions and legal restrictions regarding the COVID-19 virus. Float in the Grand Parade? Cancelled. Tartan Day? Cancelled. Beltane? Cancelled. Scottish Golf Day? Cancelled with possible later adaptation for distance or rescheduling. Trips to other Scottish/Irish events, such as the Chicago Highland Games or the Iowa Irish Fest? Booth at the Celtic Highland Games of the Quad Cities?The events themselves were cancelled.

One thing that hasn't cancelled is our pride in Scottish culture, and our hope to see you again in person. All of those ideas are still on the table for a day when we can safely gather and travel again.

We are planning for our "Celebration of the Saints" winter party/Annual Meeting, and for our 2021 Celebration of Robert Burns, with the hope that conditions allow us to go ahead. Please watch your email and mail for details. Speaking of mail, we have delayed the August Porridge Pot for a little later, when we hope to have details about our Samhain potluck and other events. In the meantime, save the dates for:

Samhain "Potluck" October 8, at 6 pm, backyard of board member's home. (3718 Lorton, Davenport.) Bring your own food and beverage, table service, lawn chairs. Chris will supply a fire pit to subsitute for the Samhain bonfire. No rain date. No RSVP needed.
Holiday Party: Dec. 9, 2020. Evergreen Room, Tanglewood Hills event center, 4250 Middle Road, Bettendorf. (Social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols.) Please see our September newsletter for a poll about this event.
2021 Robert Burns Celebration and Gala: January 23, at the Isle Casino Hotel. (Please note: if tables are reduced due to social distance needs, registering early will be key. Please watch your mail in December.)
Haggis preparation: January 16, 2021, at the Manor Clubhouse.

Flowers of the Forest

Our sympathies on the losses of Clevelyn Scott and John "Scotty" McFedries, and our most recent flower of the forest, Roger Stancliff. The society sent memorials to the chosen funds designated by their families. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of these long-time society members. They will be much missed.

2020 donations:

Cafe' on Vine, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Stancliff family (memorials)

In 2019, the SAS supported several efforts to promote Celtic culture, and the Quad Cities as a whole. These included:

Flood Relief efforts at the Salvation Army of the Quad Cities
Efforts to rebuild the Irish Football Club of the Quad Cities. The team includes people from all backgrounds, including Scots, and is working on a youth team.
Scottish dance instruction through Studio A Dance Company and Colleen's School of Celtic Dance. Our thanks to the dancers who performed at our 2020 Burns Night!

See our Events page for a photo.

Our thanks to members who supported Birdies for Charity, the Scottish Golf Event, and other fundraising efforts.