A Brief History

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

Originally operating as a trading standards of sorts they controlled all aspects of the Weaving craft within the City, from production and sale of woven goods to the training of apprentices. Further to this the Incorporation existed to help the poor and sick of their craft and their dependents. 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 Weavers Chest. The chest would be opened each year during the Incorporation's Box opening where members of the craft could inspect the funds and make sure that they are being used correctly. The Weavers annual box opening is still a tradition held today where funds 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) and the late collector. The roles of Deacon and Collector are held for one year before being passed onto another eligible member.

As one of the 14 Incorporated crafts of Glasgow the Weavers are based out of the Trades house of Glasgow, the second oldest building in Glasgow still used for its original 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As times changed and the administrative and trading standards role of the weavers became superseded by new laws the Incorporation shifted it's main focus to Charitable works and became a charity a registered Charity in 1925.