Important Connections

The St. Andrew’s Society of Toronto (SAST) was founded in 1836 by Toronto’s Scottish immigrant community in order to raise money for Scottish immigrants who had fallen on hard times. It was this same Scottish community that came together again to raise funds and lobby the federal government to form the province’s first kilted regiment which, by 1891, would be known as the 48^th Highlanders of Canada. The official connection between The St. Andrew’s Society and the 48th Highlanders of Canada started then and centred around the co-hosting of the St. Andrew’s Charity Ball, with the 48^th Highlanders providing the famous Pipes & Drums, the musical backbone for the Scottish Country Dancing that is at the heart of the Ball. Together, the St. Andrew’s Society of Toronto and the 48^th Highlanders of Canada have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Toronto-based charitable organizations over these many years.

There is an interesting sidenote that further connects the two organizations. The first President of the SAST was a man named William Allan. An early Scottish immigrant to Canada, he would eventually amass a fortune in what was then York, Upper Canada and acquire a vast estate that he named Moss Park after his childhood home Moss Farm, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Moss Park Armoury has been the home of the 48^th Highlanders of Canada since it was built near his former estate in 1965. It’s also interesting to note that, during the War of 1812, William Allan served as a Major in the York (Toronto) militia and negotiated the terms of surrender when York was first captured by American forces. 

Toronto’s Scottish community and its militia have common roots that are evident to this day.

We encourage all Highlanders to become members of the Society. Learn more on their web site.