Bessie Watson (1900-1992)

Bessie Watson was a Scottish child suffragette and piper, and graduate of the University of Edinburgh. On International Women's Day 2024, the Bessie Watson Lecture Theatre was officially opened in her honour.

Elizabeth (Bessie) Watson was born in Edinburgh and played the bagpipes from a very young age. She was encouraged to do so by her parents, who hoped it would strengthen her lungs against tuberculosis. Watson and her mother were members of the Women's Social and Political Union, and at the age of nine, Watson was invited to play the pipes in a procession down Princes Street. After the procession, Christabel Pankhurst, sister of Emmeline Pankhurst, awarded Watson a brooch depicting Boudica in her chariot.

Watson continued to be actively involved in suffrage, wearing purple, green and white hair ribbons to school. She played the pipes on the platform of Waverley station as trains carrying convicted suffragettes departed to Holloway Prison in London. Watson also piped outside Calton Gaol to raise the spirits of the suffragettes imprisoned there.

Watson became the only female member of the Highland Piper's Society and founded the Broughton School Pipe Band. She went on to study French at the University of Edinburgh, and taught violin and modern languages across the city.

In 2019, Nicola Sturgeon unveiled a plaque at Watson's old home on the Vennel, to celebrate her life and achievements.

On International Women's Day 2024, the Information Services Group hosted a ceremonial opening of the Bessie Watson Lecture Theatre in the Outreach Centre, Holyrood Campus.

To read more, please visit: Bessie Watson - Wikipedia