| Administrative History | The Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association was suggested in 1836 and formally established in January 1837 as a county association. Its original aim was to provide an opportunity for those with a connection to Caithness to meet and socialise. In November of 1837 it was decided to extend the work of the Association and it was resolved to establish a fund to help needy natives of Caithness in Glasgow. Ladies were admitted to the Association in 1898. Various offshoots of the Association were formed including a literary society and athletic club.
The Glasgow Caithness Literary Society, sometimes called the Glasgow Caithness Literary Association, was begun in 1882 by R. G. Sutherland. Many of its members were connected to the Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association but the two operated independently. In 1890 a closer relationship was formed between the two: all members of the Benevolent Association became members of the Literary Society and the Association contributed funds to the Society. The management of the two remained separate, but the Literary Society was henceforth sometimes referred to as the Literary Section of the Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association. The Society organised lectures, debates and essay writing for its members and established a library which was held for a time at the Baillie's Library in Glasgow. |