25 Jan 2022
On the date that can affectionately be described as Scotland’s “other national holiday”, we reflect on our great nation, its heritage, and some of the things that make us proud to be Scottish.
From the highlands – arguably one of the most remarkable places in the country – to some of the 30,000 serenely stunning lochs; our castles that range from well preserved fortresses to understated ruins, to the sound of Scotland and our bagpipes rooted in military history; to the “the water of life” that keeps our hearts and souls warm, to our tweeds, tartans and textiles that are synonymous with Scotland; Scotland has a rich history that we cherish and keep alive.
As a brand, we are proud to join a rich lineage of textile craftsmen and women, keeping the ancient skills alive, and we aren’t alone in our quest to preserve centuries old textile skills. Celebrating the breadth and depth of skills that Scotland has to offer, we took a moment to speak to Kitty Bruce-Gardyne from the fabulous Scottish Textiles Showcase in Edinburgh to shine the light on some of the brands they represent showing why we are so proud of our Scottish textile heritage.
BAKKA Fair Isle
The remote costal croft of Bakka is located in a sensational location on Shetland in the far north of Scotland. Having discovered the old Shetland Fair Isle patterns were in danger of dying out through extensive research in the archives of the National Museum of Scotland and the Shetland Textile Museum, Mary Macgregor, the designer behind the BAKKA brand, keeps the traditional Fair Isle designs alive, using them as the source and inspiration for her work.
Her sumptuously soft BAKKA Fair Isle scarves, stoles and cowls are beautifully designed and knitted with the finest merino wool using traditional Shetland designs and working with just five traditional colours.
MYB Lace
Nestled in an Ayrshire valley, you will find Scotland’s one and only lace mill manufacturing with original Nottingham lace looms. With a history dating back to 1900 this important mill is home to the widest Nottingham Lace loom in the world.
Weaving exquisite pieces from baby blankets to exceptional Chinese madras lace window panels, MYB produce world renowned Madras and Nottingham lace.
MYB was founded as an exclusive manufacturer of Scottish Leno Gauze weave, later known as Scottish Madras.
In 1913 the company invested in Nottingham Lace looms, enabling them to present a larger variety of products to their clients. The Irvine Valley in the South West of Scotland offered the perfect damp climate for the Nottingham Lace machinery and its product.
MYB Textiles is now the only producer in the world manufacturing patterned lace with original Nottingham Lace looms, some of which are over 90 years old and run at a very slow, controlled pace so as to give a high level of quality control: this attention to detail gives the product its niche.
Araminta Campbell
Every Araminta Campbell piece is an ode to Scotland. All of their textiles are made right here in the country that inspired their design, using local materials, traditional skills and expert craftsmanship.
With four collections, including SIGNATURE, their collection of luxury handwoven British alpaca accessories crafted in their Scottish studio and their custom tweed and tartan design service, they are proud to join a rich lineage of makers and artisans creating exceptional Scottish textiles. Drawing on this vibrant heritage, they continue to preserve skills and expertise that have been handed down the generations.
Rosie Sugden
Synonymous with luxury and quality cashmere wear, the designs seen in Rosie Sugden’s collections are hugely influenced by her surroundings, such as the rolling hills of Scotland she calls home.
With all her cashmere accessories being designed in her Scottish studio, Rosie’s pieces are knitted in a family-run mill in the heart of the Scottish Borders, keeping valuable rural skills alive.
Visit Scottish Textile Showcase to learn more about the Scottish artisans and wool mills they champion and why it is right to celebrate and cherish our rich textile heritage.
“Sláinte Mhath!”
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