Filed under: Apparel 

Harris Tweed

Harris Tweed was born in 1846 when The Dowager Countess of Dunmore, asked a crofter on the remote Isle of Harris to reproduce the Murray family tartan in tweed. The resultant fabric was like no other, dyed, spun, woven and entirely finished by hand. Renowned for its quality, warmth and durability, Harris Tweed is the only fabric in the world governed by an act of parliament. The tweed is today still made in the time-honored way specified in the 1993 Act of Parliament. With 100% pure virgin wool, dyed, spun and finished in the outer Hebrides and woven by hand by the islanders at their own homes on the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra. This unique Act is policed by The Harris Tweed Authority who monitors all production on the Islands on a daily basis. Every 50 meters of length of fabric is checked by their representatives before being stamped by hand with the ORB which is found in every genuine Harris Tweed garment. No other fabric can call itself Harris Tweed.