Comments from a 'friend'

[macwilkin]

Exactly that. No organized attempts at anything. No Clans, no Highland Games, no Saint Andrew celebration, nothing.

That society was more about wealthy families getting together and publicizing their scottish ancestry. It is sadly, a common situation in Chile, where if your family has a 'foreign' surname, somehow makes it worthy of respect and advancement. I know because I lived there for 30 years.

That's correct. But that is Argentina, not Chile.

Those are taught in Chilean history in school, but again, somehow the connection between scotsmen and kilts is not made....because there has never been a highland game, or festival or a clan gathering as such to promote and educate the chilean population about it.

Hector,

I didn't mean to imply that you were incorrect; Obviously information on such an organization is scarce here in the United States. I do have a book at home by Michael Turnbull which discusses some of the many St. Andrew/Caledonian/Burns Societies around the world, and I believe it may discuss some of the activities of a society in Chile.

Generally, St. Andrew/Caledonian Societies were "mutual-aid" societies for recently-arrived immigrants which also held events such as Burns Suppers and St. Andrew's Balls for their members.

I salute your efforts to educate your countrymen on Scottish heritage. Please let me know if I can do anything to assist you.

Con respecto,

Todd