Celtic Society

The term Celtic Society is used to refer to a type of student society at the four ancient universities of Scotland, which were founded between the late 18th to mid-19th centuries in the wake of the Celtic Revival and Romanticism with the primary aim of supporting the practical and academic study of the Scottish Gaelic language and culture. These societies are the oldest at their respective universities, and were instrumental in campaigning for the establishment of academic departments dedicated to Gaelic Studies.

This article is about Scottish university student societies. For the 19th-century Irish learned society, see Irish Archaeological Society. For the societal structure of the ancient Celts, see Celts § Society.

St Andrews University Celtic Society, founded 1796, was the first of these student societies. In the 20th century, as the other ancient universities began offering Gaelic as an academic subject, students with an interest in Gaelic chose to attend these instead. Consequently, the society at St Andrews shifted its focus towards Scottish country dance, and is no longer related to the other three societies.

List

The following three societies are extant and continue to promote Gaelic language and culture as their main objective, or as part of their main objective:

  • Aberdeen University Celtic Society, founded 1854
  • Edinburgh University Highland Society, founded in 1851 (preceded by the Ossianic Society, 1837-1848)
  • Glasgow University Ossianic Society, founded 1831

References
  • Crouse, L.A. "The establishment of Celtic Societies". History Scotland (Sept/Oct 2013): 24–31.
  • MacCoinnich, Aonghas (3 March 2016). "19th & 20th C: Ossianic Society". The Gaelic Story at the University of Glasgow. University of Glasgow. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
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