History

With a rich heritage spanning over 140 years, the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University has long been a pioneer in design innovation.

Seamlessly blending traditional techniques with state-of-the-art materials, our mission is to become the premier hub for sustainable design innovation and inclusive education, sparking curiosity and creativity among forward-thinking individuals and communities.

Steeped in heritage and Scottish culture, the school originally opened in 1883, offering classes in weaving, dyeing and chemistry. Named the Galashiels Combined Technical School in 1889, the school’s governing body consisted of representatives from Burgh School Board, Engineering and Building Trades and The Galashiels Manufacturing Corporation - who we still work closely with to this day.

Years of transitioned followed, as the school became the South of Scotland Central Technical College in 1909, then changed its status to that of a central institution to become the Scottish Woollen Technical College in 1922. With this came the school’s most unique development – a new, self-contained production unit housed in one of the two Netherdale mills, which consisted of a wide range of machinery suitable for the training of cloth darners and menders, weavers and other skilled workers.

In 1968 the school was then named the Scottish College of Textiles. This reflected the wider range of subject areas available, and new extensions were built to house an enlarged workshop and production area, lecture rooms and a large library. The college had shifted its efforts from the sole production of fabric to consider garment manufacture and fashion design.

Finally in 1989, the council for the National Academic Awards recommended that the accreditation of the college’s degree programmes should be transferred to Heriot-Watt University. From then on Heriot-Watt degrees were awarded. The following merger of the Scottish College of Textiles with Heriot Watt University in 1997 heralded the new beginnings for the School of Textiles and Design.