Textiles
The Textile industry in the Scottish Borders spans hundreds of years and 80% of today’s Scottish textile industry is here in the Borders.
The school of Textiles & Design was established in Galashiels in 1883 and to this day, there are still highly specialised textile and design courses at the college, now part of Heriot Watt University Borders campus. The Scottish Borders is still training the future talent and experts to come.
Expertise in design, craftsmanship and skill is second to none and world famous.
The leading names in designer clothing have all come to the mills here to have their garments created.
Although there may be better known brands of Tweed from other areas in Scotland, this name was in fact first used in Hawick.
Lovat Mill is known as ‘The Home of Tweed’ and stands on the banks of the River Teviot in Hawick. Still producing heritage tweeds where they were first manufactured almost 200 years ago, their tweeds are beautiful and of the finest quality. It is difficult to resist buying something from their shop!
Woollen and especially cashmere clothing produced in this area cannot be beaten for quality and there are still mills where you can watch production, learn about our textiles’ historical roots and see the technology of today.
Fabulous cashmere mill tours are available at Hawico and Johnstones of Elgin in Hawick.
The world’s biggest producer of Tartan is Lochcarron of Scotland in Selkirk, a short drive from Colterscleuch.
Textile Towerhouse in Hawick is a museum that gives insight into the rich history of textile design and production in the Scottish Borders. Visitors can discover over 200 years of tradition and innovation in knitwear and the story of tweed. There are frequently changing exhibitions and regular textile workshops.
There are working mills in Hawick and Selkirk producing the best quality woollen and cashmere available in the world. Mill tours are also available.
Information on the best of these is available to those staying with us.
The Textile industry in the Scottish Borders spans hundreds of years and 80% of today’s Scottish textile industry is here in the Borders.
The school of Textiles & Design was established in Galashiels in 1883 and to this day, there are still highly specialised textile and design courses at the college, now part of Heriot Watt University Borders campus. The Scottish Borders is still training the furture talent and experts to come.
Expertise in design, craftsmanship and skill is second to none and world famous.
The leading names in designer clothing have all come to the mills here to have their garments created.
Although there may be better known brands of Tweed from other areas in Scotland, this name was in fact first used in Hawick. Lovat Mill is known as ‘The Home of Tweed’ and stands on the banks of the River Teviot in Hawick. Still producing heritage tweeds where they were first manufactured almost 200 years ago, their tweeds are beautiful and of the finest quality. It is difficult to resist buying something from their shop!
Lovat Mill Commercial Road, Hawick Postcode: TD9 7AQ
Woollen and especially cashmere clothing produced in this area cannot be beaten for quality and there are still mills where you can watch production, learn about our textiles’ historical roots and see the technology of today.
Fabulous cashmere mill tours are avaiable at:
Hawico 11 Duke St, Hawick Postcode: TD9 9QA closed Sunday
Johnstones of Elgin Eastfield Mills, Mansfield Road, Hawick Postcode: TD9 8AA
The world’s biggest producer of Tartan:
Lochcarron of Scotland Waverley Mill, Dunsdale Rd, Selkirk Postcode: TD7 5DZ
Closed Sunday, Mill tours Mon – Thurs only
Textile Towerhouse, Hawick
This museum gives insight into the rich history of textile design and production in the Scottish Borders. Visitors can discover over 200 years of tradition and innovation in knitwear and the story of tweed. There are frequently changing exhibitions and regular textile workshops.
There are working mills in Hawick and Selkirk producing the best quality woollen and cashmere available in the world. Mill tours are also available.
Information on the best of these is available to those staying with us.
www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/borders-textile-towerhouse-p252911
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