Sustainability

The need to balance regenerative production and fair work with decarbonisation can be difficult to navigate, so with the support of SOSE and their Net Zero team since January 2023, we have been working to measure our environmental footprint and develop a credible decarbonisation plan, while continuing to grow and invest in our business, and support our local community.

By measuring our environmental footprint annually, we continue to make changes to our business to become more sustainable, including reducing our usage of fossil fuels for heating and power, improving our recycling and reducing our waste product, and working to source wool fibre more locally to support British farming and manufacturing.

To reduce our carbon usage further, we have installed 356 solar panels at our Selkirk site; enhancing our environmental efforts by creating up to 45% of our power usage annually from our own sustainable source of electricity. Electricity produced from our solar panels during working hours powers our production unit during the day.  In addition, during periods when the factory is closed, the electricity produced by our panels, is supplied back to the National Grid and provides the benefit of additional, green power that will build and improve future energy resilience for everyone.

Made to last

We work almost exclusively with wool and other natural fibres. Wool is one of the most sustainable fibres as it is renewable and biodegradable, decomposing in a matter of years, without contributing to pollution. Wool fibres are of high quality and are highly durable, therefore, wool clothing has a long lifespan and lasts considerably longer than those made from other fibres, require less washing and can be recycled and upcycled. Kilts made from our fabrics are so long-lasting they are often handed down from one generation to another. Likewise, our fabrics used by designer brands are considered investment pieces, the antithesis of fast fashion.

Locally sourced

Although not all the wool we use can be sourced locally, in 2021 we converted one of our top selling fabrics, our heavyweight Strome cloth, to being sourced from wool grown completely within the UK, mainly from Scotland. In 2023, we completed this journey, and now source our Romney Marsh wool from Scottish-farmed sheep, allowing us to create our Strome cloth in 100% Scottish wool. In doing so we are supporting local farming and manufacturing, and our wool is sorted and graded locally at the British Wool depot in Selkirk, subsequently reducing transportation distances and emissions. Up to one quarter of the yarn we use annually is now of Scottish origin.

Learn more about our journey developing our 100% Scottish wool Strome in our journal article: Our Strome 100% Scottish Wool Kilt Cloth

In 2023, we were shortlisted as finalists in the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards in the ‘Positive Change’ category. Their awards programme highlights the efforts being made by brands within the industry to improve their sustainable and ethical practices. We were delighted to be able to showcase our British Wool Strome cloth, our continued support for local Scottish and British Wool farmers and our progress in developing our sustainable and ethical credentials.

Made by us

We are a specialist manufacturer making exclusively in Scotland in our own weaving mill and sewing workroom. Where possible we partner with other specialist British manufacturers for yarn spinning, cloth finishing and garment making. We also hope to increase our own capabilities to convert more of our cloth and increase our own skills so we can offer more finished products that are made in Scotland.

Reuse and repurpose

We’ve become adept at reusing yarns in our production before they are only suitable for recycling. Fabric remnants are used in the make-up of finished accessories and, repurposed for crafting projects or donated to a variety of local or national organisations. Our unavoidable selvedge waste created during the weaving process is now 100% wool and is also recycled, sold, or donated. Everything we cannot find a use for goes on to be recycled.