06 Nov 2023
Kitty Bruce-Gardyne is Founder of Scottish Textiles Showcase in Edinburgh and has been a long term champion of Scotland’s rich textiles heritage. She is keen to share her passion for the Made in Scotland story which remains physically off the beaten track and chimes with the need for us to buy less and buy local.
Here are some of Kitty’s top gift ideas for this festive season:
Harris Tweed Edith Coat
A classic cut reminiscent of the 50’s vintage style, the Edith coat comes in a range of Harris Tweeds, the navy blue herringbone being a favourite of mine. Chic and flattering with a luscious turquoise lining, this coat is an excellent investment piece and wardrobe staple. £625.
£625
The Jacob Blanket
The Jacob blanket is available in a range of natural colours, all woven in un-dyed Scottish wool from the Jacob sheep, an ancient breed with a distinctive fleece. This pure wool Scottish blanket makes an excellent gift for those thinking about their carbon footprint.
£125
Scottish Knitting Wool
Yarn from Scottish sea faring sheep, this is a great gift for knitters,! Periwinkle is one of my favourite colours this season and sits well alongside Bog Cotton and Speckled Hen. These Scottish yarns from Hebridean and Cheviot sheep are part of a range from Birlinn Yarn based in the beautiful island of Berneray in the Western Isles. The sheep are moved from island to island to ensure an optimum diet and quality of yarn.
£13.95 per ball
Cairn Hat, Hazelnut
Beanie hats are popular in our store all year round and we stock a range of beautiful designs made by several makers. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but the Cairn hat is knitted in sumptuously soft cashmere and always a good bet for Christmas. Knitted by Robert Mackie mill in Ayrshire which dates back over 175 years!
£80
Highlands at Dawn Shawl
Limited edition Highlands at Dawn tartan shawl in soft lambswool. Inspired by the big skies and dramatic display of colour seen over the Scottish highlands as dawn breaks. this shawl is made up of subtle hues of green and blue with an orange and white overcheck. Designed by Araminta Campbell, Highlands at Dusk also available. Beautifully presented, this shawl comes with an explanatory card and dust bag. If you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything, this might just be it!
£140
To see all these items and more on the Scottish Textiles Showcase website click here.
NB. The HERITAGE collection there is also Highlands at Dawn and Beech Dappled Skies available also in a serape, a blanket, a scarf and a hot water bottle cover.
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We are guardians of people’s stories...
We ourselves are stories that weave and take shape through the thread, thanks to the gentle hands of the weavers.
The yarn, the loom, our and your stories, are the tools we have chosen to make what cannot be seen or touched, real and wearable. We give shape to the values in which we believe, we give voice to stories to be shared with those dearest to us, forever.
Not just exquisite works of art to wear, but ambassadors, ‘talking’ objects, timeless storytellers of meanings and values that we want to preserve and pass on.
Meet Isabelle, one of our talented handweavers!
Isabelle has long had an interest in textiles, ever since her grandmother taught her to sew.
She discovered weaving when visiting universities before applying to study. Immediately captivated by the woven textile displays at Loughborough University – the home of our George Wood looms – She became fascinated by how these complex woven structures could be created from just a few cones of yarn.
Isabelle enjoys the slow, hands-on process of weaving, appreciating how it demands your full and present focus, and is always excited to share the complexities of handweaving to our visitors.
Meet Helen, one of our talented handweavers!
As an advocate for sustainability and ethical production, handweaving appealed to Helen as the embodiment of slow, responsible craft.
She fell in love with the challenging yet meditative weave process during her textile degree at the Glasgow School of Art.
Helen adores that she can name the alpacas in the pieces that she weaves, as this level of provenance imbues the pieces with deeper meaning for both weaver and future owner.
We choose 100% undyed British alpaca fiber for our designs because it embodies the values we hold dear: sustainability, durability, and unparalleled luxury. Each fleece is sourced from carefully chosen UK farms where animal welfare is a top priority.
Our close relationships with breeders enable us to trace many of our yarns back to the individual alpacas, ensuring exceptional quality and transparency. The alpaca’s fleeces are left undyed, allowing the natural richness and unique tones of their coats to shine through in every piece.
In the UK, only 5–10% of alpacas produce fleece of the exceptional quality we require. Every fiber is meticulously selected for its fineness, crimp, luster, and colour, ensuring our pieces meet the highest standards of luxury and craftsmanship.
It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.
Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.
It can take our handweavers anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks to complete one of our Signature pieces.
Each piece in our Heritage handwoven collection has been inspired by Araminta’s deep love for the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape.
From the golden glow of the beech woodlands surrounding her family home in the Royal Deeside Corridor during autumn, to the ethereal light of the Scottish Highlands at dawn and dusk, the landscape is a constant source of inspiration for Araminta. The shifting interplay of colours, textures, and natural rhythms informs each handwoven piece, translating fleeting moments into timeless design.
Any moment in time could become Araminta’s next creation.
Meet Lisa, one of our talented handweavers!
Lisa studied weaving at Heriot Watt University, in the borders of Scotland – an area renowned for its textile production.
She always enjoyed creating things and was recommended to study textiles by her art teacher. When first starting out in her weave degree, she found the slow process of setting up challenging, yet today it’s her favourite part.
She finds peace whilst threading the loom, enjoying and embracing the flow.
Each piece has been lovingly handwoven and finished in our Edinburgh Atelier by our team of handweavers on vintage George Wood looms.
Araminta Campbell is one of the largest employers of handweavers in Scotland, fostering employment for talented craftspeople in Scotland plays a vital role in preserving the rich legacy of Scottish textile craftsmanship. Every thread woven in the Atelier carries with it the heritage and passion of centuries-old traditions, brought vividly to life through contemporary designs, and the work of our talented weavers.
It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.
Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.
When you choose one of our handwoven treasures, you’re not just owning a piece of Scotland’s rich textile heritage – you’re connecting with the hands that brought it to life.
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