HRH Duke of Rothesay at Knockando Woolmill opening

**brewerpaul** · 12th October 12, 02:04 PM

Just wanted to share this little quip of HRH The Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay at the grand opening of the restored and now again fully functional Knoackando Woolmill. He looks quite smart kilted up and enjoying the festivities. You can read about the event and see a couple photos of the Duke on Knockando's Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/knockandowoolmill

This woolmill has been in the process of restoration for some time and is now back working. I donate a bit yearly for the cause and hope to buy some of their kilt weight tartan. Just nice to see history preserved in such a way.

http://www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk/visit.htm

**tulloch** · 12th October 12, 02:15 PM

Gosh those look familiar. I wove for a year in Swanzey, New Hampshire. We each ran eight of em. It was loud! I never got tired of it. The mill is now closed. The looms were sold to a company in Saudi Arabia, I believe. What I wouldn't give to be able to order up a bunch of tartan made on those things.

**Downunder Kilt** · 12th October 12, 02:18 PM

Very interesting article brewerpaul. Thankyou for putting it up here. It is interesting to note that their own kilting tartan is being sold for GBP60.00 per metre and they appear to be willing to accept custom weaving commisions. I am wondering the price of custom tartans, minimum runs and the weight thereof, maybe they will give D C Dalgliesh some competition.

**brewerpaul** · 12th October 12, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Very interesting article brewerpaul. Thankyou for putting it up here. It is interesting to note that their own kilting tartan is being sold for GBP60.00 per metre and they appear to be willing to accept custom weaving commisions. I am wondering the price of custom tartans, minimum runs and the weight thereof, maybe they will give D C Dalgliesh some competition.

I asked Bonnie Heather Greene to inquire about this and here is the response she got from them.

"Good evening

Thank you for your enquiry. If you would like a special tartan made the minimum would be 60 metres and we could quote a price if this is something that would interest you.

If you are ordering the Knockando Woolmill tartan of which we carry stock, we can offer a wholesale discount on orders over 30 metres.

All the best from Bonnie Scotland!

Moira"

Im not sure if the would be competition or just on about the same price of D C Dalgliesh, though
D C Dalgliesh will do shorter runs of fabric and not minimum of 60 meters.

**opositive** · 12th October 12, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by tulloch

Gosh those look familiar. I wove for a year in Swanzey, New Hampshire. We each ran eight of em. It was loud! I never got tired of it. The mill is now closed. The looms were sold to a company in Saudi Arabia, I believe. What I wouldn't give to be able to order up a bunch of tartan made on those things.

saudi arabia wanted wool looms? any idea what they wanted to make? i know the desert gets cold due in part to the lack of clouds, but what wool garments would this be used for, since i have not heard of wool being used in traditional garb (i have no problem having my ignorance dispelled)?

**Downunder Kilt** · 12th October 12, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the additional information brewerpaul, cheers

**fluter** · 12th October 12, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by opositive

saudi arabia wanted wool looms? any idea what they wanted to make? i know the desert gets cold due in part to the lack of clouds, but what wool garments would this be used for, since i have not heard of wool being used in traditional garb (i have no problem having my ignorance dispelled)?

No, they really do wear wool in Saudi Arabia.

"Traditionally, men usually wear an ankle length garment woven from wool or cotton..." 'Cause wool has good insulating properties, don't you know, and it breathes.

**Tobus** · 12th October 12, 03:15 PM

Yikes! A 60 meter minimum pretty much dashes any hopes of custom weaves unless you're outfitting a pipe band!

**Grizzly** · 12th October 12, 03:38 PM

or another run of Artificer's tartan that cannot be named lest we be eaten.

**opositive** · 12th October 12, 03:44 PM

hrh duke of rothesay--nice outfit, as usual

saudi arabia and wool looms--the loose male garment worn in saudi arabia is called a thobe, which is often worn made of wool in winter. fat tailed sheep meander about the middle east. thanks, xmarks, for causing me to expand my knowledge

saudi arabia should do some runs of artificer's unnamed tartan to improve international relations and to diversify its economy.