The Club has a significant history intertwined with both the military and civilian facets of British society and continues to serve as a social hub for individuals of Scottish descent or those with an interest in Scottish culture.
Although it began as a Gentleman's only club, full membership was extended to women in 2010.[1]
History
The Club was founded in 1891 by Scotsman Neville Campbell. Initially a proprietary club (owned by an individual rather than its members), it was located at Waterpark House in Charles II Street, St James's, SW1. Within a few years, due to the popularity of the Club, the premises were changed to 30 Charles Street, St James's, SW1 which had belonged to the Beresford family and at about the same time it became a limited company.[2]
After the death of the Club owner, Robertson Lawson, in April 1917, the members purchased the remaining assets of the company, transitioning the club to a member-owned establishment in 1918. The Club was formally inaugurated as a members' club at Derby House, St James's Square, with its first General Meeting held on March 8, 1918. This pivotal change was led by John Stewart Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl, who served as the Chairman from 1908 to 1919. He envisioned the Club as "the representative national club and headquarters for Scotsmen in London," welcoming those with close ties to Scotland through birth, education, or direct descent.[3]
During both World Wars, the Club played a significant role in supporting its members, with over two hundred members lost during the First World War. In the Second World War, Derby House was destroyed during the Blitz on November 16, 1940, leading to a temporary relocation to the East India & Sports Club and later to the Devonshire Club.[4] In 1946, under the chairmanship of Donald Black, efforts were made to secure a new clubhouse and the current premises in Halkin Street were acquired.[5]
Modern Era
9 Halkin Street, Belgravia, SW1
The current building at No. 9 Halkin Street was constructed in 1916, on the site of a former Episcopal Chapel 'Belgravia Chapel'. It was commissioned by Hugh Morrison, a Conservative MP for Salisbury, to be his private residence in London. Morrison was a significant figure in British history, and was instrumental in preserving Stonehenge from modern encroachment in the late 1920s.[6]
Morrison employed the architect Detmar Jellings Blow following their prior collaboration to design his country home, Fonthill House in Wiltshire. The building was designed in early Neo-Georgian style with a Jacobean style porch.[7]
After Morrison's death the building was later used as a club for ladies and then a Nuffield Officers' Club, before it was acquired and opened by the Caledonian Club on October 17, 1946.[8]
The freehold of the property is owned by the Grosvenor Estates, and Halkin Street derives its name from Halkyn Castle, the Flintshire seat of the Grosvenor family, the Dukes of Westminster.[9]
The club has seen various modernizations over the years, including the addition double bedrooms in 1969, a terrace in 1994, and a new five-storey wing with a terrace garden, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on St Andrew's Day 2006.[10]
Notable Members
The Club's membership included notable individuals such as:
John Logie Baird, Scottish inventor known for being one of the pioneers of television, who famously used the Club to give a private demonstration of his new television system to the Prince of Wales, later briefly King Edward VIII. Baird installed a receiver at the Club and arranged for a special television programme to be sent over from his studio on Long Acre.
Sir Alex Ferguson, legendary former manager of Manchester United Football Club, known for his leadership and success in English football.
William Purves, former Chairman of HSBC, notable for his contributions to global banking and finance.
The Club also maintains strong links with the Royal Family and the British upper class.
Activities
Facilities & Events
The Caledonian Club offers a range of first-class facilities and services, including a Dining Room, Drawing Room, Library, Bar, snooker room, outside terrace, small Business Centre, as well as a variety of function rooms that cater to events, meetings, and weddings. The bar of the Club has over 200 whiskies and a growing collection of Scottish gins. Members can also use changing rooms with showers and access to Belgrave Square gardens for tennis and outside gym. For accommodation, the Club offers 39 en-suite bedrooms to members and their guests.[11]
The Club hosts a wide range of events throughout the year, including an annual Burns Night Supper, St Andrew's Dinner and Caledonian Club Ball.
Societies
The Club has several societies, including:
Arts Group: formed in 2011, the Arts Group brings together members with an interest in all aspects of arts and culture. Events include theatre visits, private viewings at galleries, museums and exhibitions and talks by prominent guest speakers.
Book Club: a group focused on literature that hosts regular events throughout the year, including interviews with authors.
Golfing Society: members regularly play at some of the finest golf courses throughout the UK, including Loch Lomond, The Berkshire, Woking, and Archerfield, and on an annual visit to France, usually Le Touquet.
The Number 9 Society: named after 9 Halkin Street, the society was set up to bring influential speakers from a wide and diverse group of disciplines including academia, arts & culture, finance & commerce, diplomacy, media, armed forces and politics.
The Racing Society: formed in 1996, the society has owned 20 horses across 20 consecutive Syndicates and throughout the season arrange a mix of events with race-days, stable and stud visits, and dinners with prominent guest speakers. It currently has one horse in training, "Fruit Pastille". Members may buy shares in a syndicate or become supporters: they are informed when the horse is racing and have the opportunity to attend races using owners’ and trainers’ facilities.
The Shooting and Fishing Society: focus on game shooting, mainly on single and pairs of days including a highly sociable competition against the New Club, Edinburgh. These mainly take place in the Home Counties although there is occasionally the opportunity to go further afield.
Snooker Society: since the opening of the new wing in 2006, the Club Snooker room has been available to all Members to play within Club opening times. There has been a number of incarnations of a Club snooker team over the years, the most recent was formed in 2019, after the annual Members Snooker Competition.
The Younger Members’ Society (YMS): formed in 2009, aimed at under 40s members, with regular social events throughout the year.
The Club also maintains reciprocal membership arrangements with over 60 other clubs, in the United Kingdom and internationally, including:
The Club maintains a formal dress code, with jackets, ties and polished black shoes for men, and the equivalent formality for women, however, dress codes are more relaxed on Friday, the weekend and in the summer.[12]
In 2012 the Club launched its own tartan, designed by Kinloch Anderson, based on the sett of the Clan Campbell after the founder of the Club, Neville Campbell. Red from the Clan Morrison tartan was included as 9 Halkin Street was built for Hugh Morrison. The colour influences include the saltire and the Club's crest.
