The society was formed in 1813 in the coastal town of Anstruther in Fife.
[2] The society met regularly, exchanging and sharing poetry and songs[3] in a place they named the "Hall of Apollo".
The tone of the meetings was fun and jovial, with allusions to the classical tradition, focusing on devotion to Apollo, the Greek and Roman God of music, dance and poetry.
The Hall of Apollo was decorated with flowers, laurels, and prints of celebrated poets such as Walter Scott, Lord Byron and Robert Burns.
[5] The society possessed a seal charged with the Celtic harp, bearing an anchor on its chords and surrounded by a chaplet.