Harris Tweed and the Isle of Harris

by: AngusMacleod
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Word Count: 639

Scotland is only a small country in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. For much of it's history the nation and it's people have been incredibly poor but from this impoverished society some of the most influential people came forth to make their mark upon our world. There are few countries in the world that have not been directly influenced by the hands of the Scottish but few consider this when asked to think of Scotland and most of us would rather bring to mind the likes of Tartan and Harris Tweed.

Though the vast majority consider tartan and Harris Tweed to be fundamentally traditional Scottish nothing could be further from the truth. In actual fact much of what we consider to be traditionally Scottish was a purely Victorian exaggeration (and some say an invention). The famous author Sir Walter Scott and others took elements of the Scottish Highland culture and redesigned it in a more palatable form for the King of England. When Queen Victoria and Albert fell in love with the country more such creations developed to please the Royals and their parties.

The role of Queen Victoria (and Sir Walter Scott) in the development of the Scottish tourist industry can not be overstated. While the Queen's interest stimulated interest by the English upper classes it was not really until the development of the railways in Scotland that they began to visit the country. When the railways opened up Scotland the country quickly became the playground of the rich who enjoyed the pleasures of fishing and hunting.

While a small number of visitors ventured as far as the Outer Hebrides the majority wore Harris Tweed. Harris Tweed, produced only on the Isle of Harris (and Lewis) is a hard wearing and durable cloth of somber colors which was ideally suited for use in clothing for the Victorian and Edwardian upper class visitors. In 1844 the Earl of Dunmore had asked the weavers of Harris to create a cloth in a similar style to the Murray Tartan. Much encouraged by Lady Dunmore the cloth was made in various styles and quickly became popular.

Hand made from local wool and colored using unique natural dyes there were few other materials that could compete. However it was not to last as cheaper materials became available from abroad. At an early stage the weavers of Harris ensured that only cloth produced in the Outer Hebrides could bear the name "Harris Tweed" and this has meant that the material is still produced today.

It is still incredibly common to see somebody sporting a Harris Tweed Jacket and the material remains popular. Today it is increasingly common to see the cloth used in any number of diverse products ranging from handbags to running shoes from manufacturers such as Nike.

In recent decades the Isle of Harris has seem a massive increase in the number of people visiting the island and tourism is now a major element of the local economy. Traditionally there have been summer and winter industries in the Hebrides and the production of Harris Tweed has always had a vital role. Unfortunately in the last few years the tweed industry has been in crisis and, at this moment, it is in something of a state of flux with the main mill closing. There is little doubt it will still be produced but the future is uncertain.

There is plenty to attract the visitor to the Isle of Harris, the rich Gaelic culture, the incredible number of archaeological sites, the unique flora and fauna and, last but not least, some of the most astounding landscapes to be seen in Scotland and the United Kingdom. Getting there is now easier than ever and while there are airports most travel by road across to the Isle of Skye and then by ferry to the village of Tarbert or Lochmaddy in Uist.

About the Author

Why not visit the island and stay in a hotel on the Isle of Harris or in Harris bed and breakfast?  

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