Textile & Craft Tours
There’s more to Scotland’s textile industry than Tartan..
Textiles have always played an important part in Scotland’s history from traditional weaving and knitting on the Western Isles to the jute and cotton spinning mills of Dundee.
Each aspect of textiles is interwoven, literally, with important events and milestones in Scottish history. However, Scotland’s influence is not just historical – contributions by contemporary Scottish fashion designers ensure that Scotland is up there on the global stage.
At More2Scotland we offer tours to suit your interests and passions…below is a list of just some of textile journeys we can offer:
Tour 1: DAY TRIP – FROM GLASGOW
The town of Paisley is synonymous with the internationally famous design of the same name so our day will begin with a visit to this Abbey town. From 17th Century the economy of Paisley has centred on the weaving trade and we will begin our tour with a visit to the recently restored Sma Shott Cottages where you can step into a weaver’s cottage and experience what it might have been like to live and work in such an environment all those years ago….
Our next stop will be New Lanark. En route we will learn about the Ayrshire town of Stewarton, the bonnet toun, famous for its once thriving industry of woollen Tam O’Shanter bonnets and discover that nearby is a local lace-maker who uses Victorian machines to produce some beautiful high-quality lace.
New Lanark is one of Scotland’s six UNESCO world heritage sites. This former cotton spinning mill village nestles on the banks of the Falls of Clyde where we can pause and watch the mighty strength of the river powering the mill machinery.
Exploring New Lanark, we can view an exhibition setting out cotton production and working conditions and you can see first-hand the 19th Century machinery that continues to spin wool into yarn. We can relax on the roof garden and take stunning photos of the inspiring scenery that surrounds this area.
Tour 2: DAY TRIP – FROM EDINBURGH TO SOUTH SCOTLAND
We will head straight to Hawick in the Scottish Borders, an area steeped in textile heritage. We will join the tour of a local mill and discover how, in the 18th Century, the company began importing cashmere into Scotland to manufacture fine wool for use in high quality merchandise. At the factory you will be able to enjoy the experience of holding and feeling the different fibres used in production and see for yourself the machines used throughout the mill’s history.
No trip to the Borders would be complete without a visit to one of the iconic abbeys and we will head towards the stunning ruins of Melrose Abbey where, legend has it, the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried. If stone figures and gargoyles hold an interest for you, then you will be spoiled for choice at the Abbey and your guide will help you find the mischievous, bagpipe playing pig adorning the building.
The Borders is well-known for its history of skull-duggery and ostentatious thieving so you’ll hear stories about the exploits of the Borders Reivers.
Then, to ring the changes, we’ll visit Galashiels on the banks of the Gala Water, a town which specialised in tweeds and tartan production and now is home to a purpose built visitor centre housing the specially commissioned ‘Great Tapestry of Scotland’ created by communities of ‘stitchers’ all over Scotland.
Tour 3: DAY TRIP FROM EITHER GLASGOW OR EDINBURGH
Our first stop will be Stirling Castle, not only one of Scotland’s must-see visitor attractions but also home to a set of seven hand-woven tapestries to be found in the Queen’s Inner Hall of the magnificent Royal Palace. An exhibition tells the story of the ‘Hunt of the Unicorn’ tapestries which are based on those owned by James V who was not only an avid collector but also the father of Mary Queen of Scots.
Moving forward in time to the 18th Century and the Industrial revolution when Scottish textiles were exported all over the globe, we will make our way to Stanley Mills in Perthshire. Nestled on the scenic banks of the River Tay, we will see Bell Mill one the finest surviving cotton mills in the world and you’ll find out more about the industrialist and social reformer, Richard Arkwright, who designed and built a village specially for his workers.
The attraction offers the visitor a high-tech interactive experience – listen to the clamour of the factory floor and hear tales of those who worked their fingers at the machines.
From there, we’ll make our way to a kiltmaker to learn about the origins of tartan and the history of kiltmaking and wearing.
EXTENDED TEXTILES AND CRAFTS TOURS
There are many possibilities to learn about textiles and crafts in Scotland.
You might wish to travel to Dundee, a city which built its name and economy on jute manufacturing in the 19th Century and where you can visit Verdant works, a beautifully refurbished mill building dating back to 1833. The mill provides a fascinating insight into Dundee’s industrial textile and social heritage.
Or maybe you want to travel further North to tour the Elgin mill of a global leader in cashmere and woollen luxury items.
Depending on your travel dates, we will advise on exhibitions, events and workshops being held so you can plan your travel to incorporate such a special event into your trip.
If you want to really immerse yourself in Craft and Textiles and make a specially memorable adventure of your experience, we could travel further afield. A visit to the beautiful scenic Western Isles or the Inner Hebrides will allow you not only to watch close-up how tweed is produced but also give you the opportunity to soak up the culture of these more remote places.
Let More2Scotland guide you on the way.