Summer of 2022 seen the start of a very exciting project for Lochcarron of Scotland. The Muir Project blends exploration and collaboration with a genuine fashion forward approach. Undoubtedly, as the World's Leading Manufacturer of Tartan, we were thrilled to be a part of this unique design project!

A Little Insight into the Brands Involved

Trakke

Trakke blends traditional techniques with modern design innovation and technology to craft high-quality, long-lasting bags and accessories. Superior craftmenship is made with waxed canvas, which has a long history here in Scotland. An easy transition from meeting to mountain top, Trakke use modern cues to create functional designs here in Scotland.

Trakke - Waxed Canvas Backpacks & Messenger Bags

Carryology

Finding 'Better Ways to Carry,' Carryology are a media and design brand engaging with people across the globe. Using Blogs, Youtube Videos and Facebook community, they encourage likeminded 'Carryologists' to interact and discover their favourite bags and accessories. They also host an annual 'Carry Awards' ceremony. Different products are entered into categories and tested by the Carryology team and regarded as quite a mark of acknowledgment in the industry!

Carryology | Exploring Better Ways to Carry

Together, the brands have contributed to the growth of the carry/luggage/bag industry, especially in the UK. Over the past few years, Carryology have started to collaborate with some of the best makers. This is their 30th collaboration, creating unique, collectible and best-in-class products.

Manufacturing in Glasgow, Trakke source locally made materials from around the UK. This reduces the material miles of their products AND ensures that they support the wider manufacturing economy Great Britian. Furthermore, the brand also offers free repairs on all of their products, and let customers return old products in exchange for store credit, keeping them out of landfill!

The Muir Project | Trakke x Carryology | Trakke X Carryology | The Muir Project - Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry

Lochcarron of Scotland's Role

As the world’s leading manufacturer of tartan, we are certainly passionate about tartan. All made in our weaving mill in Selkirk, Scotland.

Firstly, using our Tartan Design Service here at Lochcarron of Scotland, our skilled in-house design team began the design process of this new tartan. Inspired by the Dunbar tartan and story of John Muir. Tweaking the colours and adjusting the scale, the team made the tartan their own.

During their visit to our mill, the team got a real feel for the journey that their tartan would take. Our skilled craftspeople at Lochcarron of Scotland soon got to work on bringing this tartan to life. Overall, this cloth has passed through the hands of many skilled individuals. From dyeing the yarn to finishing, these people all played a part in developing this special tartan.

Immerse yourself into all things tartan with a closer look into our production process. Our mill tour offers a truly unique experience of our authentic weaving mill! Please pre book your tour by completing and submitting our booking form | Book a Mill Tour (lochcarron.co.uk)

CAD Design | Warping | Weaving | Back of Loom

 

An Insight into the Project

Trakke x Carryology 'Muir' Project Tartan

With a huge global audience, tartan was used to reflect our Scottish heritage. John Muir became the starting point for Trakke to tell this story and develop their tartan. Starting with the traditional Dunbar tartan, the scale of the design and the colours to reflect Trakke's brand colours.

Trakke use a vibrant orange lining in their bags to ensure that the bag interior is bright, providing great visibility and access. This also reflected in the tartan, a clear step away from tradition, the bag gives a mod to John Muir while providing a flawless and functional product.

Named the 'Trakke x Carryology 'Muir' Project Tartan,' it is extremely limited edition and will only be used for this collaboration, making it that little bit more special to get your hands on! Most of the bags will include the tartan as a liner fabric that peeks through the interior, but a very small number of exceptionally limited edition and collectible bags will feature the tartan on the bag's exterior.

 

Using 100% British Wool in the Project

Choosing to work with our All New British Wool Strome cloth quality, durability and environmental sustainability really are key features of the bag!

At Lochcarron of Scotland, we feel it is important to adapt and develop with what is becoming one of the most important influencing factors of modern times, environmental sustainability. Our 100% British Wool Strome quality does just that.

Growing naturally year on year, without depleting natural resources, wool is one of the world's most sustainable fibres with it being biodegradable AND renewable. On average, products made from wool can last considerably longer than those made from other fibres. It is highly durable and can withstand a lot of wear, as well as being breathable and easy to wear.

We think the team at Trakke and Carryology made a great choice!

Read more about our Premium Strome Kilt Cloth in 100% British Wool here - All New British Wool Strome Kilt - News, Events & Updates from Lochcarron of Scotland and shop the collection on our website too! - Strome | 16 oz Heavy weight Tartan Fabric | Made in Scotland (lochcarron.co.uk)

A Note from Alec Farmer - Director of Trakke

" We love to work with manufacturers who have a long history and a great reputation. As this was our first time working with tartan, it only seemed right to work with the best in the business.

The team at Lochcarron have been immensely helpful in delivering this project. We were working to a tight timeframe, and Lochcarron bent over backwards to help us design and weave our cloth at record speed. - maintaining great communication with us throughout the whole process.

We cannot thank you enough!"

 

Take a closer look at the Trakke X Carryology The 'Muir' Project here |

https://trakke.co.uk/pages/the-muir-project

Trakke X Carryology | The Muir Project - Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry