Founded in 1536, the Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow originally comprised craftsmen associated with metalworking - traditionally, "men who wielded the hammer"; blacksmiths, goldsmiths, lorimers, cutlers, armourers, sword-makers, clockmakers, locksmiths, pewterers, tinsmiths etc. Today these "men of the hammer", embrace not only all the light and heavy engineering trades such as shipbuilding but include "social engineers" such as statesmen, lawyers, accountants, and media personalities.  Every year they elect 6 members to the Trades House.


The Incorporation has a membership of over 1400 including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow University Sir Muir Russell. 



The Incorporation presents annual Hammermen Awards to university and college students of £250, which lead to the award of two Prince Philip prizes of £1,500 which are awarded annually to the most promising young engineers attending universities or colleges in the Glasgow area.   

An annual Craftsmanship Award is given to recognise the substantial pool of skilled craftwork in metal in the West of Scotland with the winner selected on the basis of skill, design, ingenuity and business acumen.

In conjunction with Scottish Engineering, there is also an annual award made to recognise young graduate engineers.

In addition, the Craft awards a number of Bursaries to students of mechanical engineering at Glasgow, Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian Universities.

The Hammermen also have a tradition of providing discretionary grants and gifts for the needy. Their work with pensioners, channelled through the Hammermen Service Group, aims to give personal assistance with domestic and household problems and is a byword in Glasgow for compassionate and friendly efficiency. One of its most appreciated activities is the organising of regular outings in both summer and winter.

The Incorporation tries to stimulate friendship among its own members and those of other crafts both in Glasgow and other cities. The two main social functions organised for the members each year are the traditional Breakfast which is held every September and the Annual Dinner, held each November in the Trades Hall.