How Scotland came to Islington – The Birth of the Caledonian Asylum

Why do Caledonian Road and Caledonian Park have Scottish names? Join us for a series of talks that explore the close connection between Scotland and Islington through the home and school called the Caledonian Asylum. For nearly 8 decades the sound of bagpipes and the sight of children in kilts must have been a familiar one in Islington. Their story illuminates 19th-century philanthropy, the creation and maintenance of cultural identity, education and urbanisation.

Talk 1. How Scotland came to Islington – The Birth of the Caledonian Asylum:

Caledonian Road, Caledonian Market, Caledonian Park – they all took their name from one Islington building: the Caledonian Asylum. But that building was not the Asylum’s first home. Come with us as we look at the Asylum’s turbulent early years and its journey to Islington – with guest appearances from a Scottish piper at the battle of Waterloo and a charismatic Scottish preacher.

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