Marking two centuries of veterinary expertise
This year marks the bicentenary of the Dick Vet, with a series of celebratory events at the School and beyond.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, one of the oldest veterinary schools in the world, celebrates its bicentenary in 2023.
The School will be holding a range of activities throughout the year to mark 200 years since it was established by William Dick in 1823.
These will include an alumni event, a gala dinner, lectures and a conference.
Pioneering veterinarian
William Dick gained a diploma from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1818, aged 25.
Within five years of completing his studies, he founded the first veterinary school in Scotland, at Clyde Street in Edinburgh’s New Town.
By the time of his death, aged 73, the Clyde Street Veterinary College had four tutors and more than 800 students.
Graduates from the vet college included the founders of veterinary schools in Glasgow, Liverpool, Ireland, Canada, the USA and Australia.
Events programme
Celebratory events to be held this year include a William Dick Memorial and Bicentenary Lecture, delivered by Professor David Argyle, Vice Principal and Head of College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
The lecture on 13 September, entitled ‘Glancing back but looking forward: 200 years of veterinary science building a future for global impact’, will be held at the Roslin Institute Auditorium.
An alumni event will take place on the anniversary of William Dick’s first lecture, 24 November.
Students past and present will gather at Summerhall – the home of the vet school from 1906 -2011 - for an afternoon of reminiscing and sharing.
The bicentenary year of celebrations will culminate in a dinner at the National Museum of Scotland on 25 November. Friends and family of the School will enjoy a drinks reception followed by dinner.
Related links
About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.
The School comprises:
The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems
The Hospital for Small Animals
The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education
We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge.