Formed in September, 1925, the OSHC includes a broad range of Scottish community groups in Dunedin and has a focus on preserving the city’s Scottish heritage.
Prominent among the first non-Māori people to arrive in Dunedin in 1848 were Scottish settlers aboard the ships John Wickliffe and Philip Laing.
The city’s English name is based on the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh — Dun Eideann.
OSHC historian John Stinson said the first meeting of what was originally called the Council of Dunedin Scottish Societies was held in September, 1925, with representatives of the Caledonian Society of Otago, Dunedin Burns Club, Dunedin Gaelic Society, and Otago Piping and Dancing Association in attendance.
"The aim of the umbrella group was to represent Scottish affairs generally in the city and to extend hospitality to visitors," he said.
The OSHC was formed in 1988, with the aim of helping to promote Scottish heritage across the Otago region.
Today there are 16 organisations involved in the council, including Dunedin Burns Club, Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Caelidh Scottish Dance Club, Combined Clans & Societies Group Otago, Otago Gaelic Club, Piping and Dancing Dunedin, Scottish Society Dunedin, Dunedin Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and multiple clans.
Mr Stinson said the OSHC recently took over organising two annual Scottish cultural events — the Burns Poetry Competition and the Burns Supper.
The competition’s theme is the global influence of Robert Burns, focusing on him as "a voice for humanity".
It is being overseen by OSHC and Burns Club president Dr Royden Somerville KC and Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society president Sarah Davis.
The winner and prizes will be announced at the Burns Supper, to be held on January 24, 2026, at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Entries are open until November 30, through www.otagoscottishheritagecouncil.org
Centennial events:
• October 4: Centennial dinner, from 6pm at the Edgar Centre, including haggis ceremony and entertainment.
• October 7: OSHC meeting with guest speaker Prof Maebh Long, 7pm, Athenaeum Library.
• October 6-9, 13-16: Dunedin Public Library heritage display of OSHC and combined clans. Part of Dunedin Heritage Festival.
• October 17: OSHC centennial afternoon tea, 2pm-4pm, Dunningham Suite, fourth floor, Dunedin Public Library.
• November 7: Combined Clans Christmas dinner, 6pm at St Peter’s Church hall, Hillside Rd.
• November 16: Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan, assemble at 9.30am for 10am, Knox Church.
• November 23: Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society St Andrews Day celebrations, from 10am, The Octagon.
• November 30: Burns Poetry competition closes, winners announced at the Burns Supper on January 24, at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
More information at otagoscottishheritagecouncil.org
