Our History

A Timeline of Events

Since our inception in 1857, we have been at the forefront of the painting and decorating industry in Scotland, advocating for the rights and standards of decorators. 

This timeline captures the significant milestones in our journey, from our humble beginnings as the Masters House-Painters in Edinburgh to our evolution into a national body representing decorators across Scotland and beyond. 

Explore our rich heritage and discover the pivotal moments and historical artefacts that have shaped our Federation and the industry over the years.

2011

2011

A group of English contractors applied to join the SDF and in 2011 their own English branch was established in Leicester as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the SDF, called the British Decorators’ Federation (BDF).
2011
1878

1878

The Association was formalised in 1878 after a series of meetings where a set of regulations and rules for membership were adopted.

Over the years it expanded to cover Scotland to become one body, changing its name numerous times, until eventually becoming the Scottish Decorators’ Federation after which it appointed its first full time employee to drive the Federation forward..

1878
April, 1877

1877

Records from April 1877 show the Association, now called the Master Painters in Edinburgh, resisting the demands of “workmen” who were pressing for an increase of one penny an hour while the Association was offering an increase of on halfpenny an hour.
April, 1877
January 21, 1857

1857

SDF records show that the forerunner of the Federation was a group of master craftsmen who came together on 21st January 1857.

They called themselves the ‘Masters House-Painters in Edinburgh’ and “they associated together for mutual protection and on the day agreed to re-engage all the Journeymen House Painters in their employment for a period of one year, or less.”

The wages and conditions were then set out in writing and witnessed by all present. At that time a journeyman earned four and a half pennies an hour.

This situation continued for a few years, with the group agreeing wages and conditions. The group then joined with others to create the Master Painters Association.

January 21, 1857

Historical Artefacts