Who we are
History
The objectives of the Society are twofold. First, it aims to advance the education of the general public in Scotland concerning all aspects of French culture by fostering in the general public in Scotland a knowledge, understanding and experience of all aspects of French culture, and by encouraging Franco-Scottish cooperation in cultural activities.
Second, it aims to act as a fund-raiser whose sole purpose is to ensure that the financial resources which it manages to generate on behalf of the Institut Francais d’Écosse can help the latter to be as ambitious as it possibly can in all its cultural activities.
The Society of the Friends of the Institut francais d’Ecosse was recognised as a Scottish Charity in August 1999, registered under the number SCO29352. The management of the charity is performed by the Management Committee laid down in accordance with its Constitution (available on request).
Members of the Management Committee
The members who serve on the Management Committee are currently as follows:
- President: Magnus Linklater, Former editor of The Scotsman and columnist for The Times
- Vice Presidents: Belinda Thomson, Writer, teacher, art critic, and curator of Tate Modern’s “Gauguin: maker of Myth” (2010-2011).
- Honorary President: Kenneth White, poet and essayist
- General Secretary: Emeritus Professor John Renwick, formerly the John Orr Professor of French, University of Edinburgh
- Honorary Treasurer: Emeritus Professor James Laidlaw, formerly Professor of French, University of Aberdeen
- Alastair Duncan, Former Senior Lecturer in French, University of Stirling
- Dr Geoff Hare, former Senior Lecturer in French, University of Newcastle
- Rosemary Johnston, Former President, Edinburgh Branch of the Franco-Scottish Society
- Chris Taylor, Keeper of French and Italian Books, The National Library of Scotland
- Emeritus Professor Tom Wight, President, Edinburgh Branch of the Franco-Scottish Society
- Richard Mowe, arts and features journalist
- Patron : Sir Ian James Rankin, novelist and Scottish crime writer
How your money can help
Key areas and projects your money supports
Funds raised by the Society of the Friends of the Institut français d’Écosse support the cultural and educational projects of the Institut as well as its practical requirements.
How to donate
Thank you for deciding to make a donation to the Friends of the Institut français d’Écosse. Your donation, regardless of its size, is very important. By becoming a Friend of the French Institute you will be joining an exclusive club. Here is the complete list of Advantages of membership :
- Full borrowing rights at the Institute’s multimedia library
- Reduced rates for cultural events; free admission to weekly cinema screenings at the Institute
- Full access to the online digital platform Culturetheque from your home
- Concessionary prices for the first year of membership at the Cameo Picturehouse + concessionary rates on European matinees
- 10% discount on all purchases at l’Escargot bleu
- 10% discount on all foreign titles at the European Bookshop
- Hiring of conference and lecture rooms in the Institute at concessionary rates
- Free admission to all ordinary events sponsored by the Society of the Friends
- Admission, at concessionary rates, to all other events supported by the Society of the Friends
- Free admission to one event par year specially organised by the Institute and the Management Committee for subscribing membres of the Society of the Friends.
Single Donation
To donate, simply download the form below and return it with your donation to:
Fill this form
Professor James Laidlaw, Treasurer
Society of the Friends of the Institut Français d’Écosse
DELC/French, 60 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JU
Download the Single Donation form
Regular Monthly /Annual Donation
If you wish to do a regular donation, please download and fill in the form below and return both parts to the address mentioned above.
Download the Regular Donation form
By making a regular donation, you become a Patron of the Society. This status entitles you to a series of benefits.
For more information, please contact us.
Gift Aid information
If you are a UK taxpayer, the GSA can increase the value of your gift by almost a third through Gift Aid. This allows us to reclaim the tax on your gift (28p in every £1) from the Inland Revenue at no extra cost to you. For example if you donate £100 the Friends of the Institut français d’Écosse will receive £128. Higher rate tax payers can also benefit from making a gift: they can reclaim the difference between the higher rate and basic rate through their own tax return.
For more information about the Government’s Gift Aid Scheme click here.
If you would like the Society of the Friends of the Institut français d’Écosse to treat all donations you have made to the Society in the previous four years and all the further donations as Gift Aid Donations, until you notify us otherwise, please dowload and fill in the Gift Aid Declaration and return it with your donation form.
Download the Gif Aid Declaration
Contact us
Society of the Friends of the Institut français d’Écosse
John Renwick : john.renwick@ed.ac.uk
James Laidlaw : james.laidlaw@ed.ac.uk