West Lothian student hands in dissertation and is told 'college is shutting down'
Students at a college in West Lothian have told of being left 'in the dark' after the facility announced its immediate closure.
Bosses at the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television have told students and teachers the institution has entered liquidation. Many who attend the college say they have been left wondering what happens now - after spending thousands on education.
Rachel Fiona Gilchrist, 21, handed in her final dissertation for her acting course on Thursday - only to be told that the college was shutting down operations. She branded the news 'really upsetting', and is still unclear on whether or not she will get her degree.
David Adams, whose daughter Calley was in her first year at the facility, said parents have been left 'clueless'. The facility shared the update on their social media pages, which is understood to be how many students and teachers were informed.
A post on the college Facebook page reads: "By the order of the Sheriff of Lothian and Borders at Livingston Sheriff Court, Katie McLachlan of Middlebrooks Business Recovery & Advice Limited has been appointed as Interim Liquidator of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and TV Limited, with effect from May 6, 2025. The company has ceased trading with immediate effect."
Rachel, who is originally from Ayr but moved to Livingston to study, told Edinburgh Live: "I was quite lucky that I was in the building at the time. However, everyone else found out via social media.
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"That's including the staff, they were in the same boat. I think it's disgusting. They found out that the job they'd been at for 10, 15 years was done over Facebook.
"We were meant to graduate this year. We've had absolutely no communication with the liquidators.
"Our last dissertation hand in was technically this morning. Since I was set to graduate I've had it in my head that this was my last year. I'm lucky that I've got my agent to help me get work and stuff.
"For younger students it's such a shame because they weren't far in, and it's almost too late to apply for other colleges."
While Rachel has been gutted by the news, she said her time at the college was 'amazing' - and has enjoyed every minute since she started three years ago.
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She added: "I don't have a bad word to say, up until this point, about the college. The training I've received has been amazing.
"They had people who had been working in the industry, and everyone was so close - from the admin staff to the lecturers and everyone. They all helped us in so many ways.
"That's why this is so upsetting. The thing on the whole is so sad, because it was such a lovely place for people.
"I've put almost £30,000 grand into this degree. We're all in debt.
"I did raise that this could be hard for everyone's mental health, and asked if there was any help in place - but was told that there was 'plenty of services' available online."
David Adams told us that his daughter Calley, 18, was gutted by the news. She was in her first year of a musical theatre and dance BA honours course.
He added: "Calley heard in the morning, one of her friends mums works there. She turned up and found the place was locked, with some bits of paper with the liquidation notice on the door.
(Image: Supplied)
"The friends mum had no communication from them. There's been nothing from them, we're all clueless.
"Luckily enough we live in Linlithgow, so Calley managed to stay at home. But some of her friends had moved from Ireland and all sorts.
"Calley had such a good relationship with the people she'd met at the college, and the teachers. I feel so sorry for the staff, and the people who had moved their whole lives to study there.
"The other thing is, it's a brand new facility. They moved it from Edinburgh only a few years ago, and then this came totally out of the blue.
"Calley has been dancing and singing since she was born, so she was always going to do something in performing. The college was amazing for her, she loved every minute of the course.
"All of them worked so hard, hours of dancing and studying. It's just so sad."
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television provides degrees in theatre, dance, acting and performing for students. It opened back in the '00s, and moved to a space on Almondvale Way in Livingston a few years ago.
Edinburgh Live approached the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television and its liquidators for comment.
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