LAHORE:The British High Commission in Pakistan hosted the Caledonian Ball here Wednesday to celebrate cultural and institutional links between Scotland and Pakistan.
The event was held at the historic Sir Ganga Ram Residence.The evening featured traditional Scottish bagpipe music, performances from When Mountains Meet—a collaboration between Scottish and Pakistani artistes—and couture fashion from renowned designer HSY, including designs inspired by his previous work with Harris Tweed.
The event also marked the approaching 20th anniversary of the twinning agreement between Lahore and Glasgow. The partnership includes cooperation between the children’s hospitals of both cities and support extended to Rescue 1122 during its establishment in Punjab.
The chief guest, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, attended alongside politicians, government officials, senior business and media representatives, and cultural leaders. Pakistani athletes were also present ahead of their participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Glasgow.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott CMG OBE said the event reflected the deep cultural connections between Scotland and Pakistan. She stated that Scotland’s traditions resonated strongly in Lahore and that the Caledonian Ball recognised shared stories, art, and people, while highlighting the achievements of the contemporary partnership between the two sides. Head of the British High Commission Lahore Office Ben Warrington said cultural links between Scotland and Pakistan had wide-ranging impacts beyond the arts. He highlighted Sialkot’s role as a major producer of bagpipes outside Scotland and referred to the Pakistani-Scottish origins of Chicken Tikka Masala, noting that these connections also extended to trade, education, and development. According to the High Commission, Scotland and Pakistan share longstanding cultural ties, including Sialkot’s global reputation in bagpipe manufacturing and the “Spirit of Pakistan” tartan, which is registered in Scotland. Robert Gordon University (RGU) is expanding its transnational education partnerships in Pakistan through new agreements.
