Britain's first organic tweed is in production at a farm on the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. The unique cloth is the product of ten years work by Aeneas and Minty MacKay and their flock of 300 rare Hebridean sheep.
Although their farm has been organic since 1998, it has taken longer for the MacKays to produce tweed to the same eco standards. In August this year, following an inspection by the Soil Association, the farm mill was awarded Scotland's first organic certificate. The final stage in the process was completed in October, when Schofield Finishers, based in Galashiels, who wash and smooth the tweed, gained an organic certificate.
"The first bolt of new tweed came out of the mill this month, and in the future all our produce will be organic," said Aeneas MacKay. "The label is important for us, because it sums up everything we are trying to achieve: a fabric which is 100 per cent natural and derived from sheep that are uniquely adapted to the environment of the Hebrides."
A native breed, Hebridean sheep have evolved over centuries to withstand the harsh climate on the islands off the west coast of Scotland. The breed almost disappeared a century ago and today the MacKay's flock of devilish looking sheep is one of the largest in the country. Their wool, which is finer than that of the ubiquitous black-faced sheep, ranges in colour from black to chocolate brown. At the farm mill, which is installed in a restored stone cowshed, the MacKays combine Hebridean wool with that from organic Shetland sheep. Minty MacKay explains: "With yarn from these two ancient breeds we can weave a wide range of subtle shades and patterns, all of which are entirely natural."
As well as ten different tweed cloths, the Isle of Mull Weavers produce blankets, shawls, scarves, and a range of jackets, waistcoats and hats. Prices for full weight tweed cloth start at around £38 per meter. All these products can be ordered through the Mill's website: www.isleofmullweavers.com. Better still, visitors to Ardalanish Farm on Mull can watch the wool being woven, shop at the farm store and walk along the rugged coastline amongst Hebridean sheep.
The Isle of Mull Weavers will be exhibiting at the Glasgow Organic Food Festival, (4-5 November) and at the Country Living Christmas Fair, at London's Business Design Centre (8-12 November).
