IES is a multi-disciplinary engineering body, founded in Scotland in 1857, that provides a forum in which individuals from all engineering and related disciplines can discuss and exchange information, generate ideas and encourage young engineers. IES works with kindred bodies to promote a wider understanding of the role of the professional engineer in society.
Have you thought about joining?
Have a look at our 2025-2026 programme!
Our next lecture will be on Tuesday 28th Oct - a fascinating look at Carnot batteries.......could they be the answer to the problem of energy storage?
IES Events
-
IES - Let's talk about hydrogen - Hydrogen for the Net Zero Energy Trilemma
9th December 2025 6:30 pm -
IMarEST and IES - Sustainable Marine Propulsion with Next Generation Fuels
13th January 2026 6:30 pm
Other Institutions’ Events
-
The Tall Ship - Anniversary Lecture
1st December 2025 6:00 pm -
IChemE - Rethinking Career Breaks: Returning Talent Back to Engineering
2nd December 2025 1:00 pm
Opinion
Honouring Scotland's Victoria Drummond OBE: Engineering Integrity and the Future Fleet - by Kuwaiti Captain Ali Ashour, FIES
12 November 2025
The Institution of Engineers in Scotland (IES) is pleased to highlight the recent lecture delivered at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth, by Captain Ali Ashour, FIES, FRINA, FIMarEST, Senior Engineering Officer (OF-5) with the Kuwaiti MOI-KCG and Council Member of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland.
Featured Event
9th December 2025 6:30 pm
IES - Let's talk about hydrogen - Hydrogen for the Net Zero Energy Trilemma
Joint lecture with RINA
The Energy Trilemma highlights the often-competing challenges with cost of energy, security of energy supply, and adverse environmental impacts from energy production and use. The switch from use of…
-
€10m project to accelerate AI use in UK
26 November 2025 -
Stilfold’s origami-inspired metal folding could slim down cars and drones
25 November 2025 -
Pioneering carbon capture projects ready for construction
24 November 2025
Publication of the Month
Great ships, solitary waves, and solitons
John Mellis
John Scott Russell was one of the foremost naval architects of his time. Born near Glasgow in 1808, he became a noted and popular lecturer, before moving away from academia to focus on industrial engineering. Among his many achievements, two stand out. First, the design and construction of the SS Great Eastern in collaboration with Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Second, the discovery and study of a strange wave phenomenon he acutely observed on the Union Canal near Edinburgh. Scott Russell’s ‘Wave of Translation’, now known as Solitary Waves or solitons, turned out to have significance and application in many fields, including optical telecommunications.
“If an institution of engineers is to make good progress anywhere, it ought to be Glasgow. I trust that, in this respect, my most favourable anticipations will be before long fulfilled, and that our Institution will prove of benefit to practice, to science and to the country.”
William Rankine / Glasgow, 1857