The need for tweed

There is no other intrinsically Scottish textile with the pedigree, recognition, style and substance of Harris Tweed. As strong and colourful as the landscape that inspires it yet as soft as the Gaelic accents of the islanders who create it.

Once made by families solely for their own use this highly prized and hard-wearing 100 per cent wool fabric is now internationally fashionable. Hundreds of thousands of metres are shipped all over the world every year to be used for hats, footwear and everything else in between.

Although there are many imitations nothing has the same quality of excellence as the big cloth, or clò-mòr as it’s known in Gaelic.

To legally be considered genuine only material that has been “hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra” can be called Harris Tweed and carry the Orb Trade Mark.

The image of Harris Tweed as the preserve of the ageing country pursuits brigade and academic types is, thankfully, long gone. This most noble of distinctive fabrics is much more versatile and functional than that.

Sandra MacLeod is the founder and owner of Modren, an up and coming design company specialising in bespoke bags, hats and other accessories.

Her father, brother and sister are all weavers so she is well aware of the fabric’s history but, since launching her brand, she has discovered there is a growing demand from a new generation of fashionable professionals who appreciate the heritage and craftsmanship.

Much of the material used by Sandra has been hand warped and handwoven by her sister Christina, one of only 150 or so registered Harris Tweed weavers in the world, and one of just a handful of remaining independent weavers.

“If people could only see the work that goes into each product they would be amazed. There is skill involved at every step of the manufacturing process, not just the weaving,” said Sandra, who has customers from as far a field as Scandinavia, Alaska, California and Japan.

In keeping with the spirit of craftsmanship Modren uses a traditional linen factory in Dunfermline to supply fabric for the linings. Crafted brass hardware, old school copper rivets and leather straps made with age-old vegetable tanning techniques complete the attention to detail.

“I think that’s an essential part of what makes Modren accessories look and feel special. People want something that is made to last and means something unique to them.

“I’ve created bags specially for artists that are big enough to carry their sketch pads and pens. I’ve designed accessories for allergy users with special compartments for an Epipen and for diabetics so they can carry insulin kits or a bottle of Lucozade.

“Customers like the fact that they can work with me to design something that is both personal and practical for their needs.”