History Timeline: 1808 : 1815 : 1903 : 1996
1808 - 1815 The Start
The Highland Society of London launched an appeal in 1808 to raise money for an Asylum to house and educate the many young Scots who were roaming the streets of London, having been orphaned by the Napoleonic wars. It took seven years to raise sufficient funds and to prepare the necessary Act of Parliament needed to create the Asylum.
Caley kids enjoying scones
Finally, on 14 June 1815, The Caledonian Asylum was launched by Act of Parliament. The original Life Guardians included their Royal Highnesses Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, Edward Duke of Kent and Strathearn, Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex and Earl of Inverness.
Others included the Dukes of Marlborough, Buccleuch and Queensbury, Gordon, Argyll, Montrose, Roxburgh, and Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.