This Incorporation traces its origins along with those of the Wrights and Masons to an ancient charter claimed to have been granted by King Malcolm III in 1057.

In 1569 the Coopers separated from the Masons and Wrights and were granted their own charter. As well as regulating entry to the Craft and making provisions for a weekly levy of 1d payable by each craftsman for the support of their poor this charter enacted regulations for standards of craftsmanship. These included a provision that "upon each Saturday at evening, three or four of the worthiest and most perfect craftsmen of the said Craft shall pass and search and visit all men's work to see if it be sufficient and good, and able for serving our sovereign lord's lieges or not, and, where it shall be found in fault, the same shall be corrected and forbidden in all time coming, under the pain of escheating thereof". No craftsmen was to take more than one apprentice at any one time and the length of the apprenticeship was fixed at no less than seven years. Every applicant for membership had to be of good moral character, in a visible way of supporting himself and a burgess of Glasgow.

While the trade protection aspects of the Incorporation are now defunct its charitable and educational functions remain: assistance is given to a number of needy individuals who have a connection with the trade or the Incorporation. In addition the Craft organises an annual competition for apprentice coopers who are set the task of making by hand, without benefit of machinery, a watertight miniature barrel bound with brass hoops, with wooden bung and tap, set on a gantry.

Close connections are also maintained with the Worshipful Company of Coopers of London. The Incorporation participates fully in the broader workings of the Trades House (to which it elects 4 members) and on the social front runs an annual dinner dance for members in the Trades Hall.