Join us as we celebrate 80 years of inspiration, celebration and provocation.

In 1936 a group of people came together in small flat in Glasgow. They feared that Scotland’s cultural gas was at a peep, that the achievements of the past were unrecognised, great traditions were being lost and contemporary arts lacked vitality. They did something about it. They formed a the Saltire Society who, for 80 years has promoted, presented, published, agitated and debated and in doing so helped create the conditions for today’s thriving and confident creative Scotland.

We are unique in the breadth of our cultural interests.

We are a body that exists to support and celebrate all that is best in Scottish cultural life, from literature to the built environment, arts to heritage.

Our 80th anniversary programme reflects that breadth of interest with events, lectures, discussions and awards including partnerships with the British Council Scotland, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Glasgow Women’s Library and Hands up for Trad. The programme will include a wide array of prominent contributors including Scottish composer Professor Sir James MacMillan, writer and broadcaster Kirsty Wark, writer and journalist David Robinson, and entrepreneur Chris Van der Kuyl.

The programme has benefited from an extensive range of partnerships and co-operation, which underpin much our work. It is that spirit of collaboration that allows such a small organisation to achieve so much, and we are grateful to everyone that has contributed to this programme and the eighty years of achievement that precedes it.

We hope you enjoy celebrating eighty years of inspiration with us.

Download the full programme