Tweeds

[andreyb]

Gentlemen,

What Scottish tweed manufacturers / merchants (besides North Highland Tweed Company) do you suggest?

There are some tweeds in Holland & Sherry and Dormeuil books -- what is your opinion on them?

Andrey

[Mark Seitelman]

I recommend:

1) George Harrison of Edinburgh;

2) Porter and Harding or Harding and Porter; and

3) W. Bill

[smoothjazzone]

Johnstons of Elgin has some great tweed designs -- they are the ones that had commissioned the Scottish Tweeds book -- almost the same weight as the NHTC estate tweed fabrics but the threads have a little less "spring"

[Mark Seitelman]

Also add John Hardy to your list.

[mathew]

William Bliss, part of Fox Flannel.

[alden]

The large Scottish landowners live on "Estates" and have their own tweed pattern that is passed down from generation to generation. This tweed pattern is made into heavyweight tweeds for use in outdoors activites such as hunting, fishing and riding. It must be robust, warm, and tightly woven to resist the thorns and brambles of the countryside.

A key employee of any "Estate" is the "Gameskeeper" who organizes the hunt and other sporting activities. As a part of a Gameskeeper's yearly compensation he receives one tweed suit made in the Estate's tweed. So, this kind of heavy tweed has become known in the trade as "Estate" or "Gameskeeper's" tweed.