Celebrating the great achievements of women in Scotland since 1958

A Lunch with a Difference

Lunch

The Women of Scotland Lunch is an annual lunch set up to celebrate women who have made a difference in their community in Scotland. It is a fun day out when women of all ages meet old and new friends, are inspired by some incredible speakers and raise money for charity. Each year a chosen charity benefits from the lunch, which is a significant additional benefit of the event.

Ethos

The Lunch was set up in 1958 by May Hamp-Hamilton and has continued to prosper ever since. Following a champagne reception and the chance to chat, guests are seated for lunch next to new acquaintances or existing friends, as a main ethos of the lunch is to meet and mingle. There are women from all walks of life and corners of Scotland, providing an opportunity to meet new people. There are a few tables of 10 people that can be reserved for corporate or larger groups.

There are also tables for women who have been specially nominated as making a particular difference in their community or organisation, kindly sponsored by our sponsors.  If you know of any such person please contact us. 

Charity

What sets us apart from other charity lunches is that raising money is not the sole purpose of the lunch. The main aim of the Women of Scotland Lunch is to meet new people and to listen to inspirational women speak. We also raise money to support a chosen charity each year and due to the generosity of our guests, we raise significant sums for worthy causes. 

Committee

Our Executive Chairman for 2024 is Katie Stewart (middle). The remainder of the committee is made up as follows: Valerie Davidson, Barbara Allison, Ann Garvie, Laura Sinclair, Fenella Taylor, Laura Lambie, Rowan McCall Smith, Kirsty Bryson, Mary Wallace and Shazia Razzaq.

Our Story

The Women of Scotland Lunch was founded in 1958 by Bill and May Hamp-Hamilton. It was designed to draw together a cross-section of influential women in Scotland ‘to celebrate their success in many and varied endeavours’ which in those days was very often in the face of traditional disapproval. Nowadays our guests still continue to be just that – women who have made a difference in their own field or community or who have special qualities or talents, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, beliefs, education or ability.

About Us

The Women of Scotland Lunch is an annual lunch set up to celebrate women who have made a difference in their community in Scotland. What sets us apart from other charity lunches is that raising money is not the sole purpose of the lunch. The main aim of the Women of Scotland Lunch is to meet new people and to listen to inspirational women speak.
We would love to see you at the next lunch!