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EVENING LECTURE

BEYOND THE POPPY

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF

LADY DOROTHY HAIG

Monday, 8th December

Talk begins at 19:00

Book tickets
 
 
 
 
Step into the fascinating history of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and its visionary founder, Lady Dorothy Haig.
 
 

TIME & LOCATION



Date and time: Monday 8th December 2025 from 19:00 – 20:30

Location: The Royal Scots Club, 29-31 Abercromby Place, EH3 6QE
Ticket type
Price
Club Member
£0.00
General Admission
£5.00


 
 

ABOUT THE LECTURE

Opened in Edinburgh in 1926 to ensure Scotland had its own supply of Remembrance Day poppies, the factory quickly grew beyond its initial purpose. Discover how Lady Haig’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to create workshops that employed disabled Scottish veterans, making everything from toys to leather goods.

Learn about her hands-on approach, from driving the sales van across Scotland to bringing an elephant to the factory for publicity. This lecture explores the inspiring story of a woman who not only founded a vital institution but also dedicated her life to the welfare and employment of our veterans.

 
 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Rev Kevin Thompson is an established speaker, and most well known for delivering various shows on Robert Burns featuring his songs and poems and why he wrote them. Kevin is currently president (again) of the prestigious Bowhill Peoples Burns Club and a past board member of the World Burns Federation.

Kevin is also an ambassador for Prostate Scotland and delivers frequent talks (mainly to men) on the dangers of prostate cancer.

 
Dining

Join us 

for Supper

The Abercromby Dining Room is open from 5:30 PM prior to each evening event. Join fellow members or come with friends and make a night of it.

 
Book in for supper
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

01
May

The Captain’s Table

The Captain’s Table is a regular Royal Scots Club lunch where members and their guests can get together and enjoy good food, good conversation and meet new people.

Member only event

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11
May

Evening Lecture: Manna From Heaven

The advent of large-scale airborne forces in the 1940s spurred the development of air resupply on a scale never previously imagined. Sustaining a force of some 15,000 airborne soldiers many miles behind the front lines.


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15
May

G.L.O.W. Gal’s Lunch

Gathering Ladies of Wit. A Royal Scots Club monthly lunch for our ladies and their guests in the Abercromby Dining room.

Member only event

View event
18
May

Author Coffee Morning: Trading Fate

Club Member Graeme Menzies provides a uniquely west coast perspective on the Canadian origin story – explore the event that prevented British Columbia from becoming an American State.


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20
May

Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club returns in March and is hosted by a RSC Member. Engage with fellow Club members and chat about a new topic of interest over a breakfast roll or pastry.

Member only event

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21
May

Members Drinks

A rallying call! Gather with your friends and fellow social members in the cocktail bar for an evening drink and a chinwag on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Guests welcome. Food available for purchase. Attendance is free – all food and drinks can be

Member only event

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30
May

Paint a Puffin

Join artist & tutor Jason M Bentley for a morning of an immersive watercolour workshop to paint one of Scotland’s sweetest and most loved animals: The Little Puffin! Come away with a beautiful artwork to keep or give to a loved one, while enjoying the com


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06
Jun

Beating Retreat

A classic and beloved event at The Royal Scots Club featuring welcome drinks in the beautiful Queen Street Gardens East out front of the Club.

Member only event

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22
Jun

Evening Lecture: The House of War

The House of War is a sweeping narrative of over 1000 years of confrontation and conflict between the armies of Christendom and those of the Caliphate.


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