Why London can be home from home for Scotland’s new MPs

The new intake of Scottish MPs at Westminster is likely to be pretty busy over the coming months.

They will be too busy to get homesick, but if any of them wants a taste of Scotland when they are not trying to find their way round Parliament, London has plenty to offer.

Mark Shickell, originally from East Kilbride, says some traditional Scottish food should stop them being homesick. Trading as Sheeky’s, Mark sells Haggis toasties to expat Scots and tourists at London’s street markets each weekend.

“As long as they lose the tweed jacket and remember that nobody talks to each other on the Underground, they’ll be fine,” he jokes. “There are quite a few Scottish restaurants and whisky bars.”

If they want something a little more down-to-earth, Mark has just the thing.

“Our Ben Lomond toastie contains haggis, Scots cheddar, mustard, caramelised onion and lettuce. You can follow it up with a Tunnock’s caramel wafer or tea cake and wash it all down with Irn-Bru.

“At weekends we do the ‘Weegie range’, a full breakfast of black pudding, square sliced sausage, tattie scones and a fried egg.”

We’ve been taking a look at some of the places in London where homesick Scots should feel at home.

The Caledonian Club

This traditional club near Victoria Station describes itself as ‘a little bit of Scotland in the heart of London’. Founded in 1891, it has dining and meeting rooms as well as bedrooms.

Boisdale of Belgravia

A Scottish restaurant, with cigar terrace, whisky bar and live jazz every night. Dishes on the menu at the moment include roast haggis with a noggin of whisky at £17.50, or poached salmon at £16.50.

Church

Anyone in need of a little spiritual uplift after a hard day’s political debate may wish to look to a higher authority. The Church of Scotland has had a presence in London since 1603. One congregation meets at Pont Street, Knightsbridge, close to Harrods, while another gathers at Crown Court, close the tourist hotspot of Covent Garden.

Dancing

London Reels claims to be the capital’s most popular Scottish reeling Society. Founded in 1971, it has more than 1000 members and meets once a month from September to June in Knightsbridge.

London Scottish

Originally a team of expat players, this rugby team based in south-west London has not had a happy end to the season so perhaps they would appreciate some extra supporters in the autumn.

Football

For those who prefer the round ball to the oval one, most of the big Scottish clubs have supporters’ club branches in London who gather to watch games. Rangers fans meet at The White Bear in Farringdon, Hibs supporters head for Quinns in Camden and Celtic are cheered on at the Guardsman in Brentford.

Inventions

Numerous Scots have made their name in London, with plaques commemorating the likes of John Logie Baird, who demonstrated TV in Soho. For inspiration, it’s hard to beat the Science Museum (Exhibition Road, SW7), where you can see inventions by Alexander Graham Bell, James Watt and John Dunlop among others.

Piping

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has a thriving London and the South of England branch with 19 registered bands. These include the Gatwick Caledonian Pipe Band, the University of Bedfordshire Pipe Band and the Milton Keynes Pipe band. Perhaps the SNP could start their own London band?

William Wallace

In the wall of St Barts Hospital in the City of London, sits a memorial to one Scottish nationalist whose journey to London ended very differently. It marks the spot where he was put to death in August 1305. It’s a place of pilgrimage for many Scots.

Golf

Founded in 1864 by members of the London Scottish Rifle Volunteers, the London Scottish Golf Club is based in Wimbledon, making it handy for popping along to cheer Andy Murray on Centre Court.