Lochcarron of Scotland is a family owned company which has been weaving a wide range of fabrics since 1947 [insert
any fabric as long as it's plaid joke -ed.]. For over three decades it has been offering
factory tours, and a visit to Lochcarron is a chance to see the industries which were once central to the economy of southern Scotland; weaving and knitwear.
Since 2006 Lochcarron has been in a modern facility in Selkirk named Waverly Mill, the name is all that remains of Lochcarron's old premises, six miles to the north in Galashiels [both tiny towns in the Scottish borders -ed.].
I found a great flickr set by one
Alexander Cunningham of a factory tour he had taken, and he has agreed to share the pictures, thx Alex.
Setting up the threads for the warping mill
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnjO38tfj-nz33KHmxLuOKJEFxlekHd8OnLy1uHOnpdmRI-2nmDpCw84FqZvnnfs1QAyswg7drvcqI2QR6uEuZvFo6CqwqAT2xpzPecAURu14W4MxPxPjGls0VmkvY4YTXYzCUg/s400/4325763488_2515615494_b.jpg)
Guide explains the workings of a modern Suzuki Warping Mill.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj674nu5Wcf01m11RqZ9ZKp8wFHnPP6U57UkG2XEKtX9vFLHcrL8fmeys6MvDG1VATNytG7vUbluxd1VIYgUQt0Mk_UcLAM_jDpgayBiD9eHHP1_z0ncjDQJl6us2_V8KNvroDPhQ/s400/4325769428_fd90c5e163_b.jpg)
Sulzer Ruti Loom
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepKlndn34nIr4ZmaA2npnW9XO4TKotbhCzdHSttxu5uIN8BjMd8blTEDy7I0b9cwqYS7sSQX1Q7htML6yPeWHTzZp0qXkQCuy9js0mSJeG_9hQ-OTknia_2ONF2HGg_Afk8bkrw/s400/4325771364_5a7aaf473f_b.jpg)
The darning room, where minor flaws in the mechanical production are carefully repaired manually.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSV8v02nXserQFm3IlWq9aBfspFYUF3KTQMU6BGHzmbjBeWP9CymV1Uu85YYi-CDQ9qHn1WCJFR4O6x8zQWtvpDB_JS2tZRAHGUVxTaIwIzsViC5G9Vh15gf5LgVjkyNWTkt4QA/s400/4325036137_83cef6a65c_b.jpg)
Freshly completed tartan bales.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjtecy3UVeP194aetWxX_vToJZZU5n8swYoj7hOCNTSKCGGMMt1VleBuhTMBEBOh1Bb_NkOUVW50LNCSM9uH65kd-6-Vf7hI2JQzhFMESXAguN6LtXxJJwhnz0fg-5_N-nM7Mug/s400/4325775306_51e479501b_b.jpg)
Lochcarron pops up as source materials for
Jack Spade, JCrew, Ralph Lauren, JPGaultier and no surprise Vivenne Westwood. There are 3 weights of tartan fabric created;
REIVER, 10oz -Over 500 authentic tartans in a light worsted wool suitable for tailored items.
BRAERIACH, 13oz -Over 220 authentic tartans in a medium weight worsted wool suitable for kilts, home furnishings
STROME, 16oz -Over 580 authentic tartans in a traditional heavy weight worsted wool synonymous with the 8 yard hand made kilt.
Long/short of all this is that I like wool ties... it sort of dresses you up
and down in an odd way. The texture of a woolen tie synonymous with the outdoors, and tartan working its usual transporting power. Bonus points for a family tartan...
Lamont below.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HzN7SP8fTuFZEHYHS8aq35EGnttz9RnBAhmPkDq1AdsL3hO7NHB0-YudUNU-_TT45tCwvoEZ70uvGTgRxy6TmeUb5o3wV8ycmg3HqsCAfk-Le0IkslWmZByMub0sPeTb1YgIjw/s400/IMG_7292.JPG)
Same up/down dynamic could go for the selvege ties of
Hill-Side or the winter stuff from
Pierrepoint Hicks. Lochcarron seem to be THE source for "100% wool made in Scotland" wool ties, especially the gift shoppy tartan ties (nothing wrong with that, not at all) and older examples are all over ebay in the $10-20 range. Hell,
new ones only cost about $20 with shipping. Locharron seem to have sidestepped the 70's affection for wide ties and all models old/new are in the 3-4" range for width.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9dDVtNIH8pZyDnqNuQzWbLoyFqTI4fbZK9Zn9EMvOL9jdo2Pv1eesT3RzGgEqdfdVf-MW2wRAtk-jWwH5FJiNjCiBjOOb3QHUTXm_wDT6MBxYvcQUFfBAFjtsWdEgHKKoFWyYA/s400/41C7V6KFXPL.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZdstncHJFSqbosKIEo183cLwjLxCwIY3eepaCu76mTfxWLpjvBZ9wKmnryO3VaTKQL6qmxEyV85IyWLiWtsqa-RDIp5MW89ziUjHT6cTz61MfqmB90Ca1WBlxOxXCRavcM0s5g/s400/!Bk2D(sQCGk~%24(KGrHqEOKikEtjjWFlucBLZP1!7IGQ~~_3.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngffre6y2qp8jdelUHLMdf55YqcKamcVT2Boxe6gXLt4RAGxB3Bl8m37iihs2-GhxDvbXlc2loK3Rkk196PUA29ce5FFmbuqMC3ao1LWWobApwaQJ4qbv0Qn01i6ewe-yoPUjZA/s400/237913637_o.jpg)