From 13th to 18th of June, Heriot Watt University, celebrates its bicentennial. The week culminates in a community family fun day at its Edinburgh campus.
On 16th October 1821 the School of Arts of Edinburgh “for the instruction of mechanics in such branches of physical science as are of practical application in their several trades” held the first lecture in chemistry at St Cecilia’s concert hall in the Old Town.
Heriot Watt University Heritage
Since then Heriot Watt University has expanded from its Edinburgh base and in 1989 the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) opened in the Old Academy Buildings, Stromness.
Councillor James Stockan, Leader of Orkney Islands Council has joined in with his praise for Heriot Watt. He said:
“Having Heriot Watt based in Stromness provides us with an influx of much needed energy and new faces year on year, as we welcome the latest intake of students and staff. Over the years many of those students and staff have gone on to make Stromness their home and it would be hard to imagine Stromness without ICIT now.
“Orkney Islands Council itself has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the university over the years, not least through the recent development of the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus. Industry-leading projects that both organisations have been involved in have intertwined on many occasions and as a result we have come together to achieve many great and innovative things.
“I congratulate them on their bicentenary and raise a toast to many more years of Heriot Watt in Orkney.”
The university which takes its name from Scots inventor James Watt and Scottish philanthropist and goldsmith George Heriot was granted university status in 1966.
Categories: Local News, Science
