From Issue Seven of Hidden Scotland Magazine

Spinning a Good Yarn

Scottish textiles from tartan to tweed, and the weavers reviving them.

Words by Lucy Gillmore · Photographs by Murray Orr

Printed in Issue Seven of Hidden Scotland Magazine, Autumn and Winter 2023–24.

A tale of Scottish textiles from tartan to tweed. At the V&A in Dundee a thought-provoking exhibition ‘Tartan’ explores one of Scotland’s most famous design icons, while across the Highlands and Islands there is a resurgence of artisan weaving, a cultural revival and economic success story.

words // Lucy Gillmore - photography // Murray Orr

A tidal wave of tourists flows off the foot ferry from Mull surging up the jetty onto the tiny island of Iona. Lining the waterfront is a picture-postcard row of traditional cottages; a few steps up the hill, however, an architect-designed wooden building is the contemporary home of Iona Wool. Eye-catching sunshine-yellow felt wellies in the window draw you into a sleek store, where hanks and cones of small-batch yarns nudge up to sumptuously soft hand-knits and bespoke tweed bunnets and bags in subtle hues–all made from the island’s single-origin wool.

Iona, in the Inner Hebrides is a mere three miles long by one and a half wide. It’s home to just 150 people - and 1,000 sheep, seven crofts and two farms. A decade ago, with the price of wool plummeting and fleeces selling for a pittance to carpet companies, Michael and Kate Gordon stepped in with a plan.

For members