ENGINEERING icon James Watt has been honoured at the Scottish Parliament to mark 250 years since he revolutionised the world.

The Greenock-born innovator was remembered by leading historians, academics and politicians at a special Holyrood reception to mark Watt’s key role in the development of the condensing steam engine, a quarter of a century after it was invented.

Watt was born in Greenock in January 1736, and later worked in Glasgow.
He first had the idea for his condensing steam engine — his most famous of many inventions — whilst walking on Glasgow Green in the Spring of 1765.

The following year he began developing it in partnership with the businessman Dr John Roebuck of Kinneil House, Bo’ness, co-founder of the Carron Iron Company, which led to it being patented.

The event at the Scottish Parliament was poignantly held on Watt’s birthday — January 19 — and was the first in a series of celebrations to mark his achievements in the run-up to the bicentenary of his death, which is in 2019.

Among the guests were Scottish Government minister for young people Aileen Campbell, who paid tribute to the Greenock man’s contribution to the world.

She said: “Described as the ‘most useful man that ever lived’ James Watt revolutionised industry, radically transforming our ability to harness the full potential of steam power, thereby profoundly influencing the history of industrial development across the globe. In so doing, he has left us with a powerful and lasting legacy and, of course, his name lives on as a unit of power the Watt.

“It is appropriate as we celebrate the 250 years since James Watt revolutionised the future of engineering, that we also celebrate 2016 as the year of Innovation, Architecture and Design — shining a spotlight on Scotland’s modern day achievements.

“Our industrial heritage is as much a part of our future as our past and this is in no small way part of Watt’s legacy, as we cannot divorce his achievements from the world we live in. James Watt is a remarkable Scot who continues to inspire us today.”

A dedicated ‘Celebrating James Watt Steering Group’, which includes Inverclyde Council, has been set up with members aiming to use the Holyrood function as a springboard for further events and activities.

Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “As 2016 is the year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, it seems fitting that we recognise the achievements of a man who literally changed the world. 

“His improvements to the steam engine provided power for industrial activity which changed society and economics. From mining to brewing and from steam ships to locomotives, Watt’s improvement to the steam engine had a global impact which can still be felt today.”