South of Scotland Central Technical College

The South of Scotland Central Technical College first began life as the Galashiels Combined Technical School in 1889. The range of classes available and the number of students steadily grew, and was boosted in 1901, when the Scotch Education Department extended its sphere of influence to include technical classes, and made grants available. Textile education could now establish firm foundations for the future. In 1906, funds raised by a public appeal organised by the Galashiels Burgh School Board included 11,000 donated by the manufacturers. This was matched by a grant from the Scotch Education Department. In December 1906, an Executive and an Advisory Committee of 19 was elected. Around 1907, they bought Victoria Mill which had been demolished by fire in 1905 for 1750. On the 4th May 1909 the new purpose built College building was opened by Lord Reay in front of 3,000 people. By this time, the College had been designated the South of Scotland Central Technical College. The first Principal of the College was Thomas Oliver, who had served as teacher at the Galashiels Combined Technical School since 1898. Courses offered included Pattern and Fibre Analysis, Textile Testing, Dyeing, Colour, Mechanics, Physics, Machine Drawing, Art, Chemistry, Electricity and Building. During the First World War finishing and knitting machinery was also installed, as well as courses in cooking, tailoring, dressmaking and commercial subjects. In 1922, the Scottish Woollen Manufacturers Association took over responsibility for operating and financing the College, which henceforth became the Scottish Woollen Technical College.