A Brief History

Founded as early as 1514 the Weavers were not officially Incorporated until 1528 under the decree of Glasgow's infamous feudal lord at the time the Archbishop Gavin Dunbar.

Originally operating as the original Trading Standards! they controlled all aspects of the Weaving Craft within the City, from production and sale of woven goods to the training of apprentices. As well as this the Incorporation existed to help the poor and sick of their Craft and their dependants. This early form of welfare was funded through membership fees, duties paid on woven goods and fines handed out to Weavers whose work (and actions) were found to be below the standards of the Craft. These funds would be administered by the Collector of the Incorporation and stored in the Weaver’s Chest. The Chest would be opened each year during the Incorporation's Box Opening where Members of the Craft could inspect the funds ensure that they are being used correctly. The Weavers annual Box Opening is still a tradition held today where Donations are paid out to the various charities and projects supported through that year.

The Incorporation of Weavers is governed by it's Master Court which consists of 14 members of the Craft, each having served one year and one day as lay Members before becoming eligible for the Master Court. In addition to the 14 Masters there is also the Deacon (the head of the weavers) the Late Deacon, the Collector (in charge of the monies) the Late Collector and the Clerk. Our current Clerk is the first woman in our 500 year history.

The roles of Deacon and Collector are held for one year before being passed on.As one of the 14 Incorporated crafts of Glasgow the Weavers are based in the Trades House of Glasgow, the second oldest building in Glasgow still used for its original intended purpose. Find out more about the Trades house and other Crafts HERE

As times changed and the administrative and trading standards role of the weavers became superseded by new laws the Incorporation shifted it's main focus to Charitable works and became a Registered Charity in 1925.