Taiwan, one of the most beautiful and attractive islands in South Eastern Asia, is a southern neighbour of Japan and northern neighbour of the Philippines. Mainland China is to the West across the Taiwan Strait. To the world, Taiwan stands out as a friendly country, full of passion and proud of its freedom.

Formosa, “Ilha formosa!” in Spanish, was the nickname given it by Spanish sailors in 16th century, meaning “The Beautiful Island”.

For the past 200 years, the people of Taiwan have poured visible and invisible efforts into transitioning this island from its former image of being “old, poor and labour-oriented, life under dictatorship governance” to becoming a 21st century culture marked by high-tech, innovation, freedom, enthusiasm.

Many people have contributed to the progress of this island. Among them was a small but highly dedicated group of Christian missionaries. In 1865, the very first Christian medical missionary, Dr. James L. Maxwell arrived in Taiwan – a blessing which brought the glorious Gospel of God to the country.

Looking back to the mid-19th century, Taiwan was a province of “The Qing Dynasty”, the last Empire of China Government. Back then, the main industry was Agriculture. Poor health care and tropical diseases were common, but the efforts of Scottish missionaries who arrived in the period 1865 - 1940 started to change this situation.

Not only British missionaries but Christian missionaries from Germany, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Australia and Canada, moved their mission bases from China to Taiwan post-1949. Missionaries had huge influence in the fields of education, science, medical care, social care, and public health.

Most of the missionaries commissioned in the 19th century to Taiwan were Scottish. Bringing their heroic tales back home to their native land is the core goal of this Exhibition.