Heriot-Watt University

On 12 May 1854, the Directors of the Watt Institution and School of Arts unveiled Peter Slater's statue of James Watt outside their premises in Adam Square, Edinburgh. During the celebrations following the ceremony, the revellers agreed that a club should be formed to bring together the students of all years to sup together on the anniversary of Watt's birth. Thus was founded the Watt Club. Its membership included all that had been or were students, and others who were friendly towards the School of Arts. Its aims were: to honour the memory of James Watt by celebrating his birthday on the 19th January; to promote the interests of the School of Arts, by encouraging people to enrol; and to provide a fund for the purchase of prizes, competed for by students at the end of the Winter Session. The Watt Club is still active as the Heriot-Watt University Alumni Association, and continues to hold an annual meeting as well as various functions. It has branches throughout the world including London, Norway and Singapore. For further information about the Watt Club, please contact the Development and Alumni Office at Heriot-Watt University.

From the guide to the Records of the Watt Club, 1854 -to present, (Heriot-Watt University Archives)

Heriot-Watt is a research-led technological university, committed to excellence and relevance in teaching and research in a range of applied sciences, engineering and technology, textile design, management education and languages. Heriot-Watt University was granted its charter in June 1966, following the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Higher Education chaired by Lord Robbins. The University traces its origins back the School of Arts of Edinburgh, founded in 1821 and susequently evolved as the Watt Institution and School of Arts (1852-1885) and Heriot-Watt College (1885-1965).

In 1969, Midlothian Council gifted the University the Riccarton estate in southwest Edinburgh. This provided the vital spring board for Heriot-Watt University to expand on a new purpose built campus and develop leading edge strengths in teaching and research. An integral part of the campus is 60 acres of fully developed and occupied commercial Research Park. In addition to its Edinburgh campus the University also has a strong presence in Galashiels, at its Scottish Borders Campus, formerly The Scottish College of Textiles, which merged with the University in October 1998, and a small campus in Stromness, Orkney.

From the guide to the Heriot-Watt University, 1966 - present, (Heriot-Watt University Archives)