Birlinn Yarn receives British Wool traceable Scottish Wool mark.
It is ten years since we started The Birlinn Yarn Company from our family croft on the Isle of Berneray ... goodness don't we look young how the years have flown!!
Over the years we have worked hard as a family. Tending our flock of pedigree Hebridean sheep through lambing, taking them to off shore islands, winter feeding and many weather challenges. From the first batch of pure Hebridean aran weight yarn to our current range of 30 colours there has been so much learning as we charted our course to where we are today.
I feel honoured, therefore, to mark this 10th year Birlinn Yarn occasion with being the first of only three businesses to be accredited by British Wool as producing authentic Scottish Wool and the first to be fully traceable to crofts in the Outer Hebrides.
Our accreditation with British Wool also ensures that our yarn is sustainable, ethical and responsible by complying with their six pillars of wool production.
- Read more about Our Responsibility and British Wool HERE
The new Scottish Wool mark will enable brands and crucially consumers to identify products made using wool sourced entirely from Scotland, responding to increasing demand for traceable materials as consumers shift away from fast fashion and towards those that are more sustainable.
The Scottish Wool mark was unveiled on Monday 27th April at an event at the British Wool Borders Depot in Selkirk, bringing together farmers, manufacturers, designers, and industry stakeholders from across Scotland’s wool supply chain.
We had a great day at the Selkirk event which showcased the full journey of Scottish Wool, from sheep to finished product. I had a one to one teach-in on grading fleece which was very handy.
In addition to The Birlinn Yarn Company, Lochcarron of Scotland, Burnfoot Wool (Langholm) and Merrick (Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere) were the other businesses newly certified with 100% Traceable Scottish Wool.
Among those attending was Di Gilpin, judge on Channel 4’s Game of Wool, who joined industry representatives to discuss the role of wool in modern design, craft and manufacturing.
Di said: “Scottish wool has always been more than just a material - it carries a real sense of place, heritage and creativity. For designers, it offers something incredibly special: a fibre with depth, texture and character that simply can’t be replicated.
What’s exciting is seeing that heritage continue to evolve in a modern context, from interiors to fashion and contemporary craft. This launch is a brilliant way to celebrate the creativity and skill that Scottish wool continues to inspire.”
Commenting on the launch, Jim Robertson, Chairman of British Wool, said:
“Scottish wool is a valuable natural resource with a long history and a strong future. This certification gives confidence to consumers and brands that Scottish wool can be clearly identified and trusted for its provenance, quality and sustainability, which is only a good thing as demand for wool continues to grow.”
I am so proud that Birlinn Yarn is amongst the first few to receive this accreditation and look forward to many more joining this important journey in support of authentic, pure Scottish Wool.
