The West End School of Cookery, Glasgow, Scotland, was founded in 1878 and opened to the public on 29 October of that year. The founder of the West End School of Cookery was Margaret Black (1830-1903), who had also been an instructress at the Glasgow School of Cookery . She was a teacher of cookery and published many books on the subject of domestic science. In 1908, the School amalgamated with the Glasgow School of Cookery to form a Scottish Central Institution under the title the Glasgow & West of Scotland College of Domestic Science (Incorporated) . The School’s first premises were at 2 Dalhousie Street, Glasgow, in the Corporation Galleries’ building. Later premises included 346 Sauchiehall Street and 1 Scott Street.
Initially the School provided for private teaching but in 1885, the Scotch Education Department recognised it as a teacher training centre. The School prior to this date had been running classes in Glasgow and Govan board schools. The subjects taught at the School covered diplomas in cookery, housewifery and laundry, along with certificates to housewives, housekeepers and cooks. Teaching also included lessons on domestic subjects and providing instruction to certificate students under the Glasgow Provincial Committee for the Training & Certification of Teachers.
In 1903, after the death of the founder Margaret MacKirdy Black, her niece Mary MacKirdy (1874-1957) became the principal of the school.
From the guide to the Records of West End School of Cookery, teacher training school, Glasgow, Scotland, 1878-1908, (Glasgow Caledonian University Archives)
