Weaving at Ardalanish

Using undyed, and occasionally naturally dyed, wool of native breed sheep we produce a range of unique and distinctive tweeds in a range of subtly beautiful patterns and shades. We also weave throws, scarves, shawls and floor mats.

The lustrous black wool of Hebridean sheep makes hard-wearing articles and traces of similar wool have been found in ancient Island burial chambers. Other native breeds like Shetland and Manx Loaghtan produce wool of a similar texture and as the exact shade of wool varies from animal to animal and from year to year so every fabric and garment we make is unique. Colours range from from black and charcoal brown, fawn and silver grey through to a rich creamy white. More recently we have also been using natural plant dyes like woad and madder to add a little natural colour to these beautiful earthy shades.

In addition to our ever changing collection of stock tweeds we specialise in producing bespoke fabrics for our customers and we are happy to undertake commissions.

We aim for quality over quantity, paying close attantion to every detail detail at each stage of the production preocess. The result is that whatever the garment our finished tweeds will keep their shape and cared for properly should last for generations.

About Isle of Mull Weavers

The original Isle of Mull Weavers was founded by Bob and Kathy Ryan in 1987, and when they decided to retire in 2003 Bob helped us to move the 1920's and 1950's looms to Ardalanish.

Working in this Hebridean landscape, using the natural black and brown wool of our own Hebridean sheep seemed like the most logical thing to do and so a new chapter began for the Isle of Mull Weavers.

As well as our own wool we now buy Hebridean, Shetland and Manx Loaghtan wool from accross the Highlands & Islands of Scotland as well as one or two farms from around the UK. We sort and grade the wool ourselves before sending it away for washing and then spiniing at New Lanark Mills just South of Glasgow. From there is is returned to us for weaving before undergoing a final process of finishing at Schofield Dyers and finishers in Galalshiels

For us the production of Hebridean and other Native Breed Tweeds is a step towards revitalising the traditional industry of weaving whose end product pays tribute to the sheep and the energy used to grow their lustrous wool.

Our aim is to achieve a harmonious link between the land, the products, and the consumer, and we believe that the end result means customers not only benefit from a unique and beautiful product, but also become connected with the land and what we are trying to achieve here through this flow of positive energy.