Lochcarron of Scotland had the honour of hosting a visit from their majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at our weaving mill in Selkirk on the 6th July 2023, as part of Holyrood Week.

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Lochcarron, Selkirk, Scottish Borders. Scotland.
Picture Phil Wilkinson / Lochcarron

The King and Queen were warmly welcomed by the Lochcarron team, including Dawn Robson-Bell Managing Director, who guided them through the weaving mill, where they received a comprehensive tour of the mill showcasing the intricate process of transforming Scottish and British wool into tartan fabric and luxurious textiles.

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Lochcarron, Selkirk, Scottish Borders. Scotland.
Picture Phil Wilkinson / Lochcarron

Their Majesties are known for their appreciation of local Craftmanship and sustainable initiatives and were able to see first-hand the journey that Lochcarron have undertaken to improve their ethical and sustainable journey with our use of responsibly sourced Scottish and British wool, supporting local British and Scottish wool farmers. Furthermore, they were able to engage in conversation with the skilled teams responsible for creating these timeless pieces and were able to meet some of the young team members who have recently joined the company, embarking on a career where they are learning skills to ensure the continuity and preservation of traditional crafts and processes while embracing modern advancements.

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Lochcarron, Selkirk, Scottish Borders. Scotland.
Picture Phil Wilkinson / Lochcarron

“We were delighted and honoured to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Lochcarron of Scotland,” said Dawn Robson-Bell “We were pleased to share our passion for weaving excellence and our use of Scottish & British Wool. This visit allowed us to showcase our commitment to working with locally sourced fibres and enabled us to highlight our unique and versatile skill set and our dedication to encouraging and attracting young people into a career within textiles’

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Lochcarron, Selkirk, Scottish Borders. Scotland.
Picture Phil Wilkinson / Lochcarron

During their tour, a short presentation was given about the hand-crafted banners created by local school children using textile offcuts, highlighting educational upcycling projects within the local school community. They were guided through the tartan warehouse, where they witnessed the scope of the tartans on offer, and were able to meet with team members involved in the final processes of the accessory preparation and cloth cutting. The tour then progressed to the iconic Tartan Wall and historical flags which represent some of the ceremonial aspects of the Scottish Borders Textile industry such as the Gala Manufacturers Society and those used in the local Selkirk Common Riding.

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Lochcarron, Selkirk, Scottish Borders. Scotland.
Picture Phil Wilkinson / Lochcarron