Harris Tweed Authority Visitor Centre in Stornoway, Scottish Textiles Showcase

Textiles Tour of Scotland

Hudson Mohawk Weavers Guild Scottish Textiles Tour

Let's backtrack to May when we helped to organise a very memorable Scottish Textiles tour for the Hudson MoHawk Weavers Guild from New York State. 

This tour of Scotland was originally planned for 2020 but, like so many other trips affected by the Covid pandemic, was rolled forward to 2021 and then to 2022 when overseas travel finally looked like a possibility.  Cecilia Lockwood from Frittelli Lockwood Weavers and Nancy Sharples were our main points of contact and worked patiently with us and Destination Management Scotland while hotel and mill visits were repeatedly cancelled and rebooked from one year to the next. 

Caroloway Harris Tweed Mill, Scottish Textiles Tour by Scottish Textiles Showcase 

It was quite a moment when we could finally welcome the group through our doors on 9 May 2022.  None of us could quite believe they were finally here in person, what a joy it was to be together at last and meet face to face after years of planning! 

 

The group were introduced to the work of the many makers we represent around the country and Edinburgh weaver Kristina Taylor entertained us with a talk about her plant dyed wools which she uses in her gorgeous hand woven rugs. A delicious lunch was had by all next door at Guariva Coffee Shop and from there it was on to Dovecot Studios for a tour of their tapestry studio and William Morris exhibition. 

Kristina Taylor talk at Scottish Textiles Showcase
Plant dyed wool Kristina Taylor Scottish Textiles Showcase

 After 2 nights in Edinburgh the group embarked on a 10 night textiles tour of Scotland with their charming drivers Phil and Kenny from AE Chauffeurs who drove them around the country visiting Scottish mills and artisan weavers, as well as Heriot Watt School of Textiles.

From the Scottish Borders Lochcarron of Scotland tartan weaving mill, the tour headed west to Ayrshire (via New Lanark)  to Scotland's last lace mill, up the west coast to Skye and then on Harris and Lewis for three nights where Kitty rejoined them for the Harris Tweed leg of the trip.

With prearranged visits to independent Harris Tweed weavers in Lewis and Harris, the tour also featured the famous Callanish Stones, Blackhouse Weavers Village and of course Harris distillery to purchase their highly prized gin!

Iain Martin harris tweed weaver, Scottish Textiles Showcase
Adabrock Harris Tweed Weaver, Scottish Textiles Showcase
The wool for Harris Tweed is dyed before it is spun and then mixed into special blends.. Scottish Textiles Showcase
Harris Distillery, Scottish Textiles Showcase
A fascinating talk from Lorna Macaulay of the Harris Tweed Authority, and demonstrations from weaver Davie Macleod on the Hattersley and Griffiths looms helped to piece together how the weavers, mills and the HTA all work together to produce this iconic Scottish cloth.
Of course no trip to Harris and Lewis would be complete without a reference to the dramatic beaches and landscapes which inspire the island weavers.  As the saying goes, "From the Land Cometh the Cloth!"
Seilebost Beach, Isle of Harris
The tour ended with memorable visits to Johnstons of Elgin weaving mill, Knockando mill and finally down to Stirling Castle. We hope to lure some of the Hudson Mohawk Weavers Guild back to Scotland, what a great group of weavers, it was a huge privilege for us to introduce you to the Scottish Textiles story and we hope to see you again one day!
If you would like to discuss a bespoke Scottish textiles tour, either a day trip from Edinburgh or longer tour please get in touch .
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