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.
Just announced - James Watt Dinner 2026 details!
Our 2026-2027 programme will be launched soon!
IES Events
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James Watt Dinner 2026!
2nd October 2026 6:15 pm
Other Institutions’ Events
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CABE - Introduction to Heat Networks & Heat Interface Units
8th July 2026 10:00 am -
IOM3 - NMG Lunchtime Series: Focus on Bioplastics
15th July 2026 1:00 pm
Opinion
Congratulations to Professor Sir Jim McDonald!
01 July 2026
All at IES were thrilled to hear of IES Honorary Fellow, Professor Sir Jim McDonald's recent elevation to the Order of the Thistle, the highest chivalric honour associated with Scotland.
It is wonderful to see such an accolade being awarded to such a prominent member of the Scottish engineering field and an inductee of our Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.
We believe that Sir Jim is the first Engineer to have been given such an honour.
Featured Event
8th July 2026 10:00 am
CABE - Introduction to Heat Networks & Heat Interface Units
Overview:
- What are the different terms used when describing heat networks?
- What is a heat interface unit?
- How to get the most out of a heat interface unit?
- What are the key regulations and test…
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.
"My overriding satisfaction is with the continuing eco system of microelectronics engineering that has been created in the local community and
Dr David Milne - Co-founder of Scotland's first university spin-out which became a highly successful micro-electronics company / JWD Oct 2024
Scotland more widely."