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EVENING LECTURE

THE FORGOTTEN HIGHLANDERS

Scots as Prisoners of the Japanese in WW2

Graham Ogilvy

Monday, 29th September

Talk begins at 19:00

 


 
 
 
 
Graham Ogilvy presents an overview of the disastrous Far East campaign and uses the experiences of the Urquhart, Coogan and others to highlight the ordeal of the prisoners who were later met with official indifference upon their return home.
 
 

TIME & LOCATION



Date and time: September 29 2025 19:00 PM to 20:30 PM

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

The story of the Scots as prisoners of the Japanese in WW2 is recounted. Around 20,000 Scots were captured by the Japanese in the Far East – around a third died in appalling circumstances of disease, starvation and ill-treatment. 

Graham Ogilvy worked with two veterans on their memoirs of suffering and courage – Alistair Urquhart’s story ‘The Forgotten Highlander’, a memoir of slavery on the Death Railway became a Sunday Times No 1 bestseller. Andy Coogan’s story of suffering and slavery in a copper mine in Taiwan presents a very different experience in ‘Tomorrow You Die’.

 
 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Graham Ogilvy is a Scottish journalist and publisher. He also worked with two other veterans Tom Renouf and Tony Banks to publish their memoirs: ‘Black Watch’ and ‘Storming the Falklands’ respectively. 

 
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.

 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

03
Apr

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.

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Apr

Evening Lecture: Scotland’s Choice

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08
Apr

RSC Annual General Meeting

The Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wed 8 Apr 2026 in the Hepburn Suite commencing at 1900.  All Members are welcome to attend and a complimentary curry will be provided for all those attending in person.

Member only event

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16
Apr

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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17
Apr

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

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18
Apr

Paint Off Art Battle

The Royal Scots Club and The Edinburgh Drawing School are proud to present an afternoon of live fine art featuring artists Jason Michael Bentley and Alicia Coombs.


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25
Apr

ANZAC Day Lunch

Distance shouldn’t mean a lack of connection. This April 25th, we invite our Australian and New Zealand community—and those who wish to stand with them—to join us for an informal lunch of remembrance and mateship.


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25
Apr

Spring Opening Concert

The Royal Scots Club’s new 2026 programme of music launches with a thrilling and glamorous night at the Opera starring London-based Soprano Inna Husieva (Scottish Opera, Royal Opera House, IFOpera) and decorated Concert Pianist Julia Wallin (Royal Acade


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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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