 1930s advert for the Society | |
| Successor | Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom, Glasgow branch |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1892 |
| Founder | Joseph Knight |
| Dissolved | 1980s |
| Purpose | Promotingvegetarianism in Scotland |
| Headquarters | Glasgow, Scotland |
Region | Scotland |
First president | H. S. Bathgate (1892–1929) |
Second president | Dugald Semple (1933–) |
Key people | John Barclay (secretary and treasurer) |
TheScottish Vegetarian Society (SVS) was an organisation based inGlasgow, Scotland, that promotedvegetarianism in Scotland. It was founded in 1892 and became a part of theVegetarian Society of the United Kingdom in the 1980s.
Through the efforts ofJoseph Knight of theManchester Vegetarian Society,[1] the Scottish Vegetarian Society was formed in November 1892 inGlasgow at the Garden Vegetarian Restaurant.[2] The Society was established on a foundation that required all officers to be vegetarians, and its first chairman wasH. S. Bathgate,[2] who also served as its first president until 1929, when he served as honorary president.[3] In its inaugural year, the Society had just 19 members, and by 1933, the membership had still not surpassed 300.[3]
The group held its first banquet in 1893 and regularly hosted gatherings that featured meals, music, and lectures promoting vegetarianism.[2]
As of 1897, the Society's head office was located at 6 Jamaica Street in Glasgow.[4] Historian James Gregory describes it as being headquartered in the Athenaeum building onBuchanan Street, Glasgow.[1]
The Society's first secretary and treasurer was John Barclay, a vegetarian athlete.[4] Barclay was associated with the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club. In 1897, at the annual meeting of the Scottish Vegetarian Society in Glasgow, Barclay was awarded a massive travelling trunk as a recognition of his devoted efforts to promote vegetarianism.[4]
In 1903, the Society launched its magazineHealth, Food and Cookery which was edited byCharles A. Hall.[5]
Throughout its history, the Society was actively involved in food reform advocacy. It supported the first meeting of theInternational Vegetarian Union (IVU) in 1908 and hosted successful "At Home" events and cookery lectures in Glasgow.Dugald Semple, a key figure in the Society, who from 1933 served as president of the Society,[3] became an advocate forsimple living and gave lectures on vegetarianism.[2] By 1912, the Society had formally affiliated with the Manchester Vegetarian Society, along with other local Scottish societies in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee.[2]
DuringWorld War I, Dugald Semple helped promote meat substitutes to cope with rationing. Semple also represented Scotland at international vegetarian congresses, advocating for the connection between vegetarianism and peace.[2]
The Society continued its advocacy post-war and maintained its presence in the vegetarian movement through participation in various congresses and ongoing promotion of vegetarian principles.[2] In the 1980s, the Society eventually became the Glasgow branch of theVegetarian Society of the United Kingdom.[3] Since then, a new Scottish Vegetarian Association was formed.[2]