Bid to build new tartan weaving mill

A crowdfunding campaign is set to launch to raise £500,000 towards the establishment of a new Scottish tartan mill.

The venture, which, if successful would see a new mill built on the Black Isle, is being taken forward by Prickly Thistle founder Clare Campbell, who was motivated after struggling to find suitable manufacturing partners for her bespoke tartan design business.

She has acquired a former farm steading in which to build-out the mill, and has been granted pre-planning approvals for the proposed project.

“Given Scotland is the traditional home of tartan, many people find it amazing that there are no tartan weaving mills in the Highland area,” the former chartered accountant and Scottish Tartan Authority Trustee said.

“Furthermore, by bringing the latest textile weaving technology in-house to complement the brand’s design function, we can ensure that we can meet customer demand while at the same time producing cloth of the highest quality.”

The new mill concept has received the backing of Fife-based entrepreneur and Investing Women chief executive Jackie Waring.

She said: “What Clare and her team are doing is taking an old established industry and through disruption creating a 21st Century manufacturing facility here in Scotland that allows a global brand to be built from the Highlands.

“If the country is to prosper, it is young business leaders like Clare who will lead the way.”

Scottish Tartans Authority chairman John Mcleish also backed the project.

“Scotland is blessed with a good number of quality tartan designers and weavers of our iconic national fabric,” Mr Mcleish said.

“Clare brings a new dimension, and a huge amount of energy, to a traditional industry and it is particularly pleasing to support her ambition of bringing tartan back to its spiritual home.

“From our perspective, the creation of a new tartan weaving facility in the Highlands is very welcome indeed.”

The crowdfunder kicks off on October 14 and will run for a period of two months.

Clare Campbell is the founder of Prickly Thistle.