A textile and design student in Galashiels has been awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Worshipful Company of Weavers for her work in textiles and design.

Esther Mason won a £2,000 scholarship award and had the opportunity to showcase her works with the industry guests at the ceremony in London.

Esther, a 4th Year BA (Hons) Design for Textiles student, attended the awards lunch last week with her School of Textiles and Design, located at the Heriot-Watt University campus in the Scottish Borders.

Honorary Professor Sheila-Mary Carruthers, a former student who is now head of a textile design business, received the Company’s Silver Medal Award for a lifetime of service in the industry.

Sheila-Mary, who studied and taught at the School of Textiles and Design in the Borders, now acts as ambassador for the school and is Design Director for Carruthers Associates.

The medal was presented to her by Dr Patrick Grant, an honorary graduate of the school, who had received his Laureation for his Doctorate from the School of Textiles and Design from Sheila-Mary herself years prior.

The students in the course have a highly creative approach to textile design and the options to specialise in printed, woven and knitted textiles. After their studies, they can enter the industry for fashion fabrics, fashion & interior accessories, wall coverings, gallery pieces, and more.

The Worshipful Company of Weavers awards scholarships to undergraduates who have completed at least one year of study and to postgraduates from the designated colleges, including Heriot-Watt University.