Latest news with #HarrisTweed
The National
26-07-2025
- The National
The 'gorgeous' island town in Scotland that's frozen in time
Now a conservation area, the community is one of the most authentic museums depicting the daily lives of crofters anywhere in the country. The coastal village on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, comprises several blackhouses which have been painstakingly restored. Blackhouses are a style of home which survived for centuries before almost disappearing in the latter half of the 20th century, according to the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village website. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village was occupied until the 1970s (Image: Tripadvisor) These structures consist of double drystone walls, a low profile and insulating thatched roofs, making them ideal for the Hebridean weather. Visit Scotland states that the village has now become a popular location for those coming to the island and has a number of family cottages available for self-catering accommodation, the nearby Dalmore and Dalbeg beaches and opportunities to observe traditional activities like the weaving of the famous Harris Tweed. See the 'gorgeous' town on a stunning Scottish island that is frozen in time The Gearrannan Blackhouse Village in Scotland has received much praise from visitors over the years, with Tripadvisor users giving the site a 4.6/5 out of 182 reviews One person said: "A really great museum and living blackhouse community to visit. They added: "The staff are helpful and willing to explain so much. Other blackhouses in that village are for holiday rental and a great way to sustain the museum and the Trust that runs it. Well worth a visit." A second visitor said: "Loved it here... Gorgeous views and lovely staff at the tea room... We visited with the dogs, and this was no hassle at all, which makes travelling with dogs so much easier... Great gift shop and great tea room." There are a number of things to see and do around the village (Image: Tripadvisor) Recommended Reading: Another added: "Such an excellent little place to stay. Stunning views. Very cosy. Clean. "Lots of supplies for self-catering. Close proximity to excellent walks. Great cultural/historical experience of living in a blackhouse, except with modern luxuries, of course. Close to the Callanish stones and Dun Carloway Broch, and Iron Age sites." One penned: "If you're on the Isle of Lewis, many stop by Gearrannan Blackhouse Village because it is the oldest surviving blackhouse village in Scotland. Very few visitors who pass through, however, realise that in addition to being a museum, it operates as a hostel and has its own set of self-catering cottages."
The National
21-07-2025
- The National
18-year-old motorcyclist dies in crash near Dumfries
Police were called to a report of a crash involving a Lexmoto LXR125 motorcycle on the C11N between Kirkton and Auldgirth, on the outskirts of Dumfries, at around 4.35 am on Monday. Emergency services pronounced the 18-year-old rider dead at the scene. Police said his family have been made aware. READ MORE: Scottish artist to sell Harris Tweed designs at major event this weekend The road was closed to allow road policing officers to carry out their investigation and has since reopened. Sergeant Lloyd Caven: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. 'We are asking anyone driving on this road prior to the crash who may have information that could assist with our investigation to get in touch. 'In particular, please check dash-cams and if you have footage that may help then make contact with officers.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0528 of Monday, 21 July, 2025.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
FootJoy x Harris Tweed shoes debut ahead of 153rd British Open at Royal Portrush
FootJoy unveils Harris Tweed limited-edition shoes for the 153rd British Open, blending heritage with performance. FootJoy is back with another sharp, limited-edition release timed perfectly for the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The brand's latest collaboration with Harris Tweed Hebrides introduces two new versions of the Premiere Series Packard and Field models ($265 each), featuring authentic Harris Tweed wool in a distinctive plaid pattern that reflects the culture and tradition of Northern Ireland's Antrim coast. The partnership between FootJoy and Harris Tweed is in its fifth year, and for this edition, the design draws inspiration from Royal Portrush and its surrounding landscape. The shoes incorporate a balanced mix of deep blue and muted shades, with a burgundy windowpane accent woven into the fabric for a pop of color. The result is a classic yet bold look that stands apart from anything else you'll see on the tee box or in the clubhouse. Harris Tweed is a name synonymous with craftsmanship and authenticity, and the wool used in these shoes adheres to the strict standards set by the Harris Tweed Act — ensuring the fabric is handwoven in Scotland's Outer Hebrides using traditional methods. FootJoy pairs that storied textile with premium full-grain leather and its VersaTrax+ technology, giving golfers both aesthetic appeal and serious traction across all playing conditions. Each pair of shoes in this limited run comes with a custom shoe bag made from the same Harris Tweed material featured on the uppers. It's a refined touch that complements the premium nature of the product. This release also serves as the final installment of FootJoy's 2025 Legend Series, a collection of specialty footwear drops commemorating iconic moments and venues in golf. Fans won't have to wait long — the FootJoy x Harris Tweed Packard and Field shoes are available starting July 15 on and at select retailers. With FootJoy tour ambassadors like Adam Scott, Matt Wallace, and Cameron Young expected to lace them up at Royal Portrush, these shoes won't just be conversation pieces — they'll be part of the championship story.
STV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Nike and Harris Tweed unite for limited-edition Dunk Low trainers
Nike has reunited with a Harris Tweed producer to release a trainer with a distinctly Scottish twist, two decades after a landmark order helped revive the Hebridean textile industry. Harris Tweed Hebrides has announced a global collaboration with the sportswear giant on a limited-edition version of their iconic Dunk Lows. Three different patterns – black and white houndstooth, earthy brown, and pink blush – were woven by home-based weavers on the rugged moorland coast of Lewis and finished at the Shawbost Mill. STV News obtained an exclusive preview of the iconic sports shoe as the first pairs were unwrapped in Scotland following a transatlantic delivery. Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides Dunk Low Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides Margaret Ann Macleod, CEO of Harris Tweed Hebrides, says the partnership brings together contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship, rooted firmly in the culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. 'This collection highlights how our island's most famous export Harris Tweed continues to deliver the modernity and the sustainability credentials to attract global design-led businesses, like Nike,' she said. The 18-month development project with Nike is a significant milestone for Harris Tweed Hebrides. The mill employs over 70 people and supports over 100 home weavers, making it a major economic contributor in the Outer Hebrides. Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides The trainers display the official Harris Tweed Orb label, a mark of authenticity and provenance. Nike x Harris Tweed Hebrides The company also collaborates with high-profile fashion houses like Dior, emphasising the premium quality and authenticity of Harris Tweed. The Nike Dunk Low Harris Tweed collection will be available worldwide later in 2025 via the Nike website and selected retail partners. Each pair will retail for $135 – around £100. The trainers display the official Harris Tweed Orb label, a mark of authenticity and provenance. Harris Tweed Hebrides is widely credited with the revitalisation of the Harris Tweed industry, which remains a vital component of the local economy of the Outer Hebrides. When the industry was at its lowest ebb, the firm re-opened a derelict mill in the rural village of Shawbost on the west side of Lewis and built a global business. Mrs Macleod highlighted the historical connection with Nike, dating back 20 years, and the company's focus on looking forward while maintaining its heritage. 'We have built on the values of the original project, reflecting on Derick's stewardship at the Shawbost Mill at that time, to Donald John's remarkable response to Nike's call back in the early 2000's, this new trainer collaboration reflects an enduring partnership and an island legacy,' Mrs Macleod said. 'Welcoming Nike back to the Shawbost Mill on the Outer Hebrides of Scotland after 20 years has been a proud moment for our local community.' The Nike Dunk Low Harris Tweed collection will be available worldwide later in 2025 via the Nike website and selected retail partners. The collaboration pays tribute to a defining moment in the modern story of Harris Tweed when in 2004, homeweaver Donald John Mackay received a landmark order from Nike for 10,000 metres of cloth. Recognising the scale of the opportunity, Donald John turned to Derick Murray, then owner of Shawbost Mill. Together, they rallied a network of over 50 island weavers to meet the demand — an effort now seen as one of the turning points in the revitalisation of the Hebridean textile industry. STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Gulf Today
08-07-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Tweed's youthful makeover resurrects symbol of Scottish heritage
'When you see tweed on the runway, you don't expect it to come from here,' joked 38-year-old former banker Alexander MacLeod as he set up his loom in a converted barn on the shores of a Scottish loch. MacLeod became a weaver two years ago, joining residents on the islands of Lewis and Harris, off Scotland's northwest coast, in helping to rejuvenate the tweed industry after a significant period of decline. 'It's a good thing to keep the tradition going,' he said. Tweed is a symbol of Scottish heritage and has 'always been part of the culture' on the Outer Hebrides, added Macleod, who hails from the island of Scalpay, which is connected to Harris by a bridge. It's now 'an attractive sector to be in', he explained. He left the Hebrides for seven years to work in banking but the pull of his roots proved too strong. During the day, McLeod now works for a small local cosmetics company. In the evenings, he puts on a podcast, usually about espionage, and patiently begins to weave. Only the steady hum of his machine disturbs the calm of the old stone barn. A photograph shows the weaving loom of Harris Tweed weaver Minnie Hooper at the Harris Tweed Authority building in Stornoway, on the Isle Of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland. Harris tweed, traditionally made from 100 per cent wool, is the only fabric protected by a 1993 Act of Parliament. It must be 'handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides'. The weaver spoke of his 'satisfaction' once the tweed is finished. The fabric, once associated with the British aristocracy, then goes to the spinning mill for a quality control check, where the slightest flaw is flagged up. Finally, it receives the precious 'Harris Tweed' stamp — a globe topped with a cross — certifying the fabric's provenance and authenticity, issued by the Harris Tweed Authority (HTA). The tweed then leaves the island to be purchased by discerning companies abroad, including luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Chanel, and Gucci. Several sneaker brands such as Nike, New Balance, and Converse have also used it for limited edition products. The traditional staples are jackets, caps, and bags, but the fabric can also used for furniture. There are 140 weavers, according to the HTA, which launched a recruitment campaign in 2023 and offered workshops to learn the trade following a wave of retirements. This know-how, often passed down from generation to generation, is now being nurtured by a different profile of weaver. Harris Tweed stoles displayed at the Isle of Harris Tweed shop, in Tarbert, Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, northern Soctland. 'It's nice to see younger people coming in,' said Kelly MacDonald, director of operations at the HTA. 'When I joined the industry 22 years ago, there was a severe period of decline. I was wondering: 'is there going to be an industry anymore?'' But the industry is now enjoying a 'resurgence' and 'significant growth', with more than 580,000 metres of tweed produced in 2024. 'We are always looking at new markets,' she explained, and tweed is now exported to Korea, Japan, Germany, France and other countries. It is no longer dependent on the US market, as it once was, and should be largely shielded from the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Rolls of Harris Tweed line up at the Carloway Mill workshop, in Carloway, Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland. Photos: AFP Tweed has 'modernised', said Cameron MacArthur, who works at Carloway Mill, one of the three spinning mills in the west of the Isle of Lewis. He is only 29, but has already worked there for 12 years. The mill, with its large machines, looks as if it hasn't changed for decades. But MacArthur has seen it evolve to embrace a younger workforce and newer fabrics, meaning it is no longer just the ultra-classic Prince of Wales check or dark colours that are on offer. 'Nowadays, we're allowed to make up our own colours... and we're just doing different things with it, modernising it, making it brighter,' he said, showing off rolls of turquoise blue and fuchsia pink. Agence France-Presse
