A Speyside farm and neighbouring woolmill have landed a deal to sell their Dalrachie Throw blankets through premium retailer Harvey Nichols.
Using the wool clip from the flock of 350 North Country Hill Cheviot on the Dalrachie Farm in Ballindalloch, the Knockando Woolmill located 12 miles to the north weaves the blankets on what is said to be Europe’s oldest spinning and weaving machinery. Wool production has taken place at the site since at least the 18th century.
The blankets will be sold in Harvey Nichols’ flagship stores in Edinburgh and London as part of its PAD lifestyle collection of 200 of the world’s best international brands and independent designers. They are also available online through the Harvey Nichols website.
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Sarah-Jane Forbes of Dalrachie Farm, who is also part-time general manager of the Knockando Woolmill, said quality and sustainability are high on the Scotch-assured farm’s agenda.
“It has been a great opportunity to connect the dots between a sheep standing in a field right through to a premium luxury product, available to purchase in one of the most prestigious stores in the UK,” she said. “I think it’s important, especially in the current climate, that people know exactly where their products are coming from, and the textile industry in benefitting from the traceability message.
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“For someone shopping in Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh or London to know that they’re purchasing a premium wool product produced sustainably at a small Scottish farm is something that holds a lot of appeal – and we’re really proud to offer people that awareness of where their items originate.”
Lesley Cameron, director of marketing at Quality Meat Scotland, added: “Sarah-Jane and Alan have successfully highlighted the different ways that Scottish farms are seizing new opportunities that give people the chance to learn about where their products originate from. It’s fantastic to see a quality Scottish brand on the shelves at one of the country’s top retailers.”
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