borders brilliance
Exploring Hawick’s textile heritage.
WHEN people think of Scotland’s renowned textile industry y, images of cosy winter knits and designer labels (with price tags to match) often spring to mind.
But the mills of Hawick and the surrounding area are a hive of activity all year round, creating fashionable pieces for every season.
And if you know where to go it’s possible to pick up designer garment ts at factory prices.
When it comes to summer knits, think of baby-soft cashmere in a pale ette of gentle, dusky pastels, or go vibrant t with a pop of bright uplifting colour.
While the nation has been basking in goo weather recently, it won’t be long befo ore we are back to normal and Scotland again b ecomes the ideal country for layering an effor rtless twinset, donning an elegant tank top or light sweater, or wrapping up at a Scottish h barbecue in a cosy throw or blanket.
A recommended first stop is the Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick.
This free museum tells the story of the region’s textile success, incorporating hands-on exhibits such as “carding” the wool – combing it between two large barbed paddles, to untangle and clean it.
The celebrity associations of Pringle are celebrated, highlighting stars from the world of film (think Anne Crawford and Tilda Swinton) to celebrity sportsmen (including Nick Faldo), and designer collaborations, such as Dior’s creative partnership with Lyle & Scott.
For a mill tour, drop by Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick. The visitor centre highlights products created from merino lambswool, alpaca, angora, cashmere and even camel hair. Small boxes, containing fibres from each animal, allow visitors to touch the raw material. It’s a myriad of animals, nations and textures, all together under one roof.
Another great stop is William Lockie’s. This vast, traditional shop is awash with colour, a rainbow of cashmere, tweed, Geelong and lambswool.
From the softest cashmere baby-blankets, to handsome camel hair jumpers, it’s a bit of a treasure trove.
But my No.1 stop has to be Hawico. Its really simple yet informative display boards answer million dollar questions such as “How was cashmere first br ritain?” Turns out a ap called Joseph Dawson discovered the fibre whilst travelling to India to attend his daughter’s wedding. In 1893 he provided his Scottish customers with samples, and the rest is history.