Harris Tweed

Every now and then something unusual or quirky crops up adorned or made from the unique and glorious Harris Tweed.  The only fabric to have its own Act of Parliament!  There is virtually nothing which can't be improved or made a bit special by this fantastic fabric which is still an important part of the islands.  This very day it is Harris Tweed Headphones http://www.urbanears.com/headphones/plattan/plattan-harris-tweed which look fantastic although they are a bit more expensive than the normal ones on the website.  I can't promise that there will be a pair in the house for guest use as I covet them for myself!

Buying a piece of tweed to have made into something just for you is still part of many a Harris Holiday.  There is something really special about taking the wonderful, hand woven and precious fabric home with you, it feels completely different to other momentos like photographs as it is real and tangible and you can use it every day.  More often than not the colours, texture and pattern of the tweed will be inspired by the landscape it came from and it is individual to you because you picked it - with dye lots being what they are no 2 bolts of tweed are exactly alike.  Every time you wear that bit of cloth, in whatever guise, or sit next to the cushion or draw the curtain it transports you back to the island.  A lovely feeling indeed.

The curtains in the main living area at àilean are made from Harris Tweed designed and made for us by our good friend Donald John MacKay from Luskentyre.  You may remember him from the Nike shoe a few years ago although he also supplies to Saville Row and many others and is on TV and in the press regularly, recently for his MBE.

The huge windows in the lounge at Borve and dining room frame amazing views from Ceapabhal in the south over the Atlantic to Taransay and the North Harris hills beyond and often it can seem like you are outside which is an exciting feeling.  I sometimes have to pinch myself that the house is really ours.  We wanted to use a tweed which added to this experience and also to give some privacy and cuddliness in the winter.  DJ has a fantastic eye for colour and we think the tweed tones perfectly with the floor tiles and wall colours whilst at the same time blending with the environment and looking stunning.  No mean feat.  I have attached a picture of said tweed above, it's hard to see all the colours but you'll get the idea.  These things really come alive when you look at them under a magnifier and then you understand what your eye is seeing.  More pics of the finished article in due course.

This winter I will be working on the curtains for the dining room to complete the look.  It's a big job as the windows are so large even though I have chosen a simple treatment and hanging system.  Lots of pinning, checking and adjusting is required as well as a large space to lay it all out.  A labour of love in Harris Tweed.