Handwoven Falkland Estate Blanket

The Falkland Estate Blanket tells the story of how wool from organically reared sheep on the Falkland Estate in Fife has been transformed into a limited edition, heritage, single origin product.

This beautiful blanket celebrates the natural, un-dyed colours of the fleece, the skill and passion of farmers, spinners and weavers, and the connection between the land and its people.

The blanket is handwoven by Erika Douglas in the weaving shed of Newburgh Handloom Weavers in Fife, originally founded by handloom weaver Jimmy Hutchison. The blankets were woven on a Thomas Kennedy handloom, built in Galashiels around the end of the 19th century. The Kennedy loom is a traditional wooden loom, non-mechanised, and  works by one hand throwing the shuttle, the other hand beating the cloth and both feet working the treadles to change the shed. This type of loom was common pre-1920’s and requires a great deal of skill to produce an even cloth.

The wool for this blanket comes uniquely from a flock Texel and Cheviot sheep living on the local Falkland Estate, which gives the blanket its name. Situated in the heart of Fife at the foot of the Lomond hills, Falkland Estate was a destination for Mary Queen of Scots and other royals who would enjoy recreational sports there and stay at Falkland Palace, a hunting lodge on the estate. Falkland Palace is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Activity on the estate dates back to the Iron Age with evidence of Iron Age hill forts there.

One of a limited edition of 16 blankets, made to cherish and pass down for generations.

100% Falkland Estate wool, single origin, un-dyed yarn.

Dimensions: 94 x 200cm, plus 8cm hand-knotted fringe.

Photo credits: Paul Turner