His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort visited the weaving mill of UKFT member Lochcarron of Scotland, a renowned tartan and textile manufacturer, in the historic town of Selkirk on 6 July, as part of Holyrood Week.

Their Majesties are known for their appreciation of local craftmanship and sustainable initiatives. With a comprehensive tour of the mill, they could see first-hand the journey that Lochcarron has undertaken to improve their ethical and sustainable journey, with their use of responsibly sourced Scottish and British wool. The company is committed to ensuring that locally sourced fibres are at the core of their developments, supporting British and Scottish wool farmers.

Their Majesties were warmly received by the Lochcarron team, including Managing Director Dawn Robson-Bell, who guided them through the weaving mill. The tour showcased the intricate process of transforming Scottish and British wool into tartan fabric and luxurious textiles. Their Majesties met the skilled teams responsible for creating these timeless pieces and some of the young team members who have recently joined the company. The younger members told the special guests how they are learning skills to ensure the continuity and preservation of traditional crafts and processes, while embracing modern advancements.

“We were delighted and honoured to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Lochcarron of Scotland,” said Dawn Robson-Bell. “We were pleased to share our passion for weaving excellence and our use of Scottish and British Wool. This visit allowed us to showcase our commitment to working with locally sourced fibres and enabled us to highlight our unique and versatile skill set, as well as our dedication to encouraging and attracting young people into a career within textiles.”

Their Majesties continued the tour and were given a short presentation about the hand-crafted banners created by local school children using textile offcuts. They were then guided through the tartan warehouse, where they witnessed the scope of the tartans on offer, and were able to meet with team members involved in the final processes of the accessory preparation and cloth cutting.

The tour progressed to the iconic Tartan Wall and historical flags which represent some of the ceremonial aspects of the Scottish Borders Textile industry.

Lochcarron has been at the forefront of the Scottish textile industry since 1947 but with a heritage that dates back to 1892 through acquisition. The firm boasts a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and quality, with a continual commitment to sustainable practices. As the world’s leading manufacturer of tartan, the company’s products are esteemed worldwide, and their passion for quality and design has made Lochcarron a leading name in the industry synonymous with Scottish tradition and excellence.

Visit the Lochcarron of Scotland website

Images courtesy of Phil Wilkinson for Locharron.

Lochcarron of Scotland is a UKFT Member. Click on the link below to learn more about the UKFT membership:

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