150 Year Celebrations

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF PROTECTING THE SCOTTISH POPULATION

The Scottish organisation that exists to promote public health and wellbeing in Scotland is celebrating 150 years on 20 January 2025.

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, often referred to as REHIS, is the professional body for Environmental Health in Scotland, has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the health of Scotland’s people since 1875, through education, training and qualifications.

Now REHIS is planning a year of celebrations, kicking off with the creation of a colourful tartan that cleverly uses the Institute’s history as inspiration. Created by Tartan Caledonia, the design   incorporates the colours of the official REHIS crest and boasts thread counts that mark the year of its inception. To see the new tartan and understand its history, refer to REHIS 150 Tartan – REHIS

The Institute was established after the merger of the Sanitary Association of Scotland (founded on 20 January 1875) and the Scottish Institute of Environmental Health, set up in 1973. The two organisations merged in 1983 to form REHIS.  On 8 March 2001, the Queen signed the seal for the Institute to be incorporated by Royal Charter.

The ideals of the founding Association are just as relevant, with the role of the Environmental Health Profession and REHIS members more important than ever in today’s world. Along with the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health, the Institute awards qualifications in subjects including Food Hygiene, Control of Infection, Occupational Health and Safety and First Aid. Many are recognised by industry, not just in Scotland but nationally and internationally. 

To celebrate this huge milestone, members of the Institute are working on various projects which includes the development of a fascinating timeline of significant events and legislation that has shaped the working lives of the Environmental Health community in Scotland.

REHIS is immensely proud of the work it has undertaken in the past 150 years; how it has evolved and how it has addressed the many challenges facing the profession.  Looking to the future, REHIS will continue to improve and protect public health in Scotland through its education programmes.