Which Outer Hebridean island gives its name to a famous tweeds
"2005, however, the name of the Westminster (House of Commons) constituency was changed to Na h-Eileanan an Iar. The Holyrood constituency covers Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Western Isles council area). Geographically, the constituency consists of the Outer Hebridean islands. The major islands are Barra, Benbecula, Lewis and Harris, North Uist and South Uist. On the grounds of the remoteness of the constituency from the rest of Scotland, and the difficulties involved in getting from island to island, there is a significantly smaller electorate than in the mainland Scottish Parliament constituencies. The seat had been a two-way marginal between the Labour"
"Harris Tweed Harris Tweed is a tweed cloth that is handwoven by islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. This definition, quality standards and protection of the Harris Tweed name are enshrined in the Harris Tweed Act 1993. For centuries, the islanders of Lewis and Harris, the Uists, Benbecula and Barra have woven cloth by hand, calling it 'clò-mòr' in the original Gaelic or 'big cloth'. Originally, this handmade fabric was woven by crofters for familial use, ideal for"
"interiors market is also expanding following the use of over 90,000 meters of Harris Tweed in Glasgow's 5 Star Blythswood Square Hotel in 2008. New markets are emerging within the BRIC nations and more traditional markets are reviving in the USA and Europe as well as East Asian countries including South Korea. Sales forecasts are optimistic for the cloth. Harris Tweed Harris Tweed is a tweed cloth that is handwoven by islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. This"
"of the Outer Hebrides. Based in the island capital of Stornoway the Authority consists of a Chief Executive, Secretary and two inspectors and stampers. There is also an overseeing board of unpaid members and a legal team in support. There are three mills operating on the islands, each with a public facing company associated with them. The companies handle marketing, sales, customer service and distribution of Harris Tweed to customers while their mills handle certain aspects of the production process. All weavers are self-employed and can work as a 'mill weaver' commissioned by any of the three mills or as"
"mark. When this trade mark, the Orb, was eventually granted, the Board insisted that it should be granted to all the islands of the Outer Hebrides, i.e. to Lewis, North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra, as well as to Harris, the rationale for this decision being that the tweed was made in exactly the same way in all those islands. The Harris Tweed Association existed until 1993, when it was replaced by the Harris Tweed Authority under the terms of the Harris Tweed Act of 1993. The Harris Tweed Authority was established in 1993, replacing the Harris Tweed Association"
"standard definition became essential. Groups of merchants in both Lewis and Harris applied to the Board of Trade for a registered trade mark. When this trade mark, the Orb, was eventually granted, the Board insisted that it should be granted to all the islands of the Outer Hebrides i.e. to Lewis, North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra, as well as to Harris, the rationale for this decision being that the tweed was made in exactly the same way in all those islands. In 1909, after much negotiation and a degree of acrimony from merchants in Harris who felt that"
"extending to nearly 12,000 acres (49 km) with approximately 40 freshwater trout lochs. Located in the village of Garynahine, Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, local weaver/designer John R. MacLean produces double width traditional Harris Tweed, recognised as one of the world's finest fabrics. Garynahine Garynahine () is a settlement on Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Garynahine is situated at a T-junction where roads from Stornoway, Uig and the west side of Lewis all meet. The roads are the A858 and the B8011. Garynahine is within the parish of Uig. Garynahine is the location of some"
"MacLeod, and those on Lewis being referred to as from the clan MacLeod of Lewis. Lewis is also the ancestral home of Clan Morrison. The Lewis chessmen is a famous collection of 12th-century chess pieces, carved from walrus ivory and mostly in the form of human figures, which were discovered in Uig in 1831. A major industry on the island is the production of Harris tweed fabric, which is handmade on the island; by law only fabric produced in the Outer Hebrides can be called Harris tweed. The Lewis Trilogy of novels (""The Blackhouse"", ""The Lewis Man"" and ""The Chessmen"")"
"scenic beauty ""popularly associated with Scotland and for which it is renowned"". The three NSA within the Outer Hebridies are: Much of the archipelago is a protected habitat, including both the islands and the surrounding waters. There are 53 Sites of Special Scientific Interest of which the largest are Loch an Duin, North Uist () and North Harris (). South Uist is considered the best place in the UK for the aquatic plant Slender Naiad, which is a European Protected Species. There has been considerable controversy over hedgehogs on the Uists. Hedgehogs are not native to the islands, but were"
"was ""tweel"", Scots for twill, it being woven in a twilled rather than a plain pattern. A traditional story has the name coming about almost by chance. Around 1830, a London merchant received a letter from a Hawick firm about some ""tweels"". The London merchant misinterpreted the handwriting, understanding it to be a trade-name taken from the river Tweed that flows through the Scottish Borders. Subsequently, the goods were advertised as Tweed, and the name has remained ever since. As the Industrial Revolution reached Scotland, mainland manufacturers had turned to mechanization, but the Outer Hebrides retained their traditional processes. Lewis"
"Outer Hebrides The Outer Hebrides (), also known as the Western Isles ( or ' ), ' (""islands of the strangers"") or the Long Isle or the Long Island (), is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The islands are geographically coextensive with , one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. They form part of the archipelago of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides. Scottish Gaelic is the predominant spoken language, although in"
"such as football, rugby union and golf are popular. The Isle of Lewis has a rich folklore, including ""Seonaidh"" – a water-spirit who had to be offered ale in the area of Teampull Mholuaidh in Ness – and ""The Blue Men"" who inhabited the Minch, between Lewis and the Shiants. Isle of Lewis Lewis (, ) is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides archipelago in Scotland. It is also known as the Isle of Lewis, as the two parts are frequently referred to as if they were separate islands."
"cloth claiming to be Harris Tweed that was not being woven at the islander's homes, tweed not being woven by hand, yarn being spun outside the Outer Hebrides, tweed being finished outside the Outer Hebrides, use of yarn that was not made from 100% Pure New Wool and the selling and marketing of Harris Tweed that had not been inspected or stamped with the Orb certification mark. In 1958, three mainland mills interests formed a group called the ‘Independent Harris Tweed Producers Ltd’, they were: Argyll-shire Weaver’s of Oban, A.&J. McNaughton of Pitlochry’ and Scottish Crofters Weavers of Aberdeen or"
"1993, an Act of Parliament, the Harris Tweed Act 1993, established the Harris Tweed Authority as the successor to the Harris Tweed Association, its purpose being ""to promote and maintain the authenticity, standard and reputation of Harris Tweed; for preventing the sale as Harris Tweed of material which does not fall within the definition..."" The following definition of genuine Harris Tweed became statutory: ""Harris Tweed means a tweed which has been hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several"
"Tahay Tahay () is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The name originates from the Old Norse ""tagg-øy"" meaning island with a prominent hill. At 53 ha in area and with a central peak of 65 metres, it is the largest of the group of uninhabited islands off the north east coast of North Uist. The island is used for sheep grazing and peat cutting. In 1846, six families who had been evicted from their homes on Pabbay to make way for sheep, moved to the previously uninhabited island of Tahay. Although the island has no arable land,"
"purtenances (The Outer Hebrides) and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides"" Today, every 50 metres of Harris Tweed are checked by an inspector from the Harris Tweed Authority before being stamped, by hand, with the Orb Mark. The Harris Tweed Authority is the legally appointed governing body responsible for upholding the integrity of Harris Tweed in accordance with the Harris Tweed Act of 1993. They are involved in instigating litigation, issuing of the Orb Stamp, inspection of mills and weavers sheds, promotion of the industry and safeguarding Harris Tweed on behalf of the islanders"
"inspired by the island of Iona and Columba's life. Iona Iona (, sometimes simply ""Ì"") is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there are other buildings on the island. Iona Abbey was a centre of Gaelic monasticism for three centuries and is today known for its relative tranquility and natural environment. It is a tourist destination and a place for spiritual retreats. Its modern Gaelic name means ""Iona of (Saint) Columba"" (formerly anglicised ""Icolmkill""). The Hebrides have been occupied by"
"and Harris had long been known for the excellence of the weaving done there, but up to the middle of the nineteenth century, the cloth was produced mainly for home use or for the local market. When Alexander, 6th Earl of Dunmore, inherited the North Harris Estate from his father in 1836, production of tweed in Outer Hebrides was still entirely manual. Wool was washed in soft, peaty water before being coloured with dyes from local plants and lichens. It was then processed and spun, before being hand woven by the crofters in their cottages. Traditional island tweed was characterized"
"island well-known far beyond the Hebrides. It is associated with the traditional Hebridean song, the ""Eriskay Love Lilt""; with the Eriskay Pony and the Eriskay jersey (made without any seams). It is the real ""Whisky Galore!"" island: it was just off Eriskay that the SS ""Politician"" ran aground in 1941 with its famous cargo. On 2 August 1745 the privateer ""Du Teillay"" landed Bonnie Prince Charlie with his ""seven men of Moidart"" on Eriskay to start the 'Forty-Five Jacobite Rising'. An important early documentary film, ""Eriskay: A Poem of Remote Lives"", made by a German traveller, Werner Kissling, was set"
"Equity Ltd. In 2005, at the request of former Labour minister Brian Wilson, Taylor rescued the historic clothing brand Harris Tweed from the brink of collapse, purchasing the derelict Shawbost mill on the Isle of Lewis for a reported £500,000, rebranding it as Harris Tweed Hebrides and investing a further £2m into turning the business round. Today, the company has a staff of 80, as well as providing employment for 130 self-employed home-based weavers, and has a global customer-base that includes such brands as Chanel and J.Crew. Taylor takes no salary or bonus from Harris Tweed Hebrides and has said"
"registered. The Authority is responsible for inspecting every metre of Harris Tweed produced by the island mills and has two inspectors who visit each mill to inspect the processes and final product and issue the Orb Mark stamps and labels. The inspectors also visit local weavers loom sheds to ensure their Harris tweed is being woven by hand at all times. Since the formation of the Harris Tweed Association in 1909 there have been numerous legal challenges to the definition of genuine Harris Tweed. Great importance is placed on Harris Tweed to the fragile economy of the Outer Hebrides and"
"Fuaigh Beag Fuaigh Beag or Vuia Be(a)g is an island in the Outer Hebrides. It is off the west coast of Lewis near Great Bernera in Loch Roag. Its name means ""little Fuaigh"", and is named in contrast to Fuaigh Mòr nearby. The element ""Fuaigh"", derives from an Old Norse name. Fuaigh Beag was cleared in 1827, and it has been uninhabited ever since. The island is in extent and the rock is Lewisian gneiss. There are many skerries and small islands near it such as Geile Sgeir, Garbh Eilean, Eilean nam Feannag, Linngeam, Cliatasay, Gousam and yet another Floday."
"Fuaigh Beag Fuaigh Beag or Vuia Be(a)g is an island in the Outer Hebrides. It is off the west coast of Lewis near Great Bernera in Loch Roag. Its name means ""little Fuaigh"", and is named in contrast to Fuaigh Mòr nearby. The element ""Fuaigh"", derives from an Old Norse name. Fuaigh Beag was cleared in 1827, and it has been uninhabited ever since. The island is in extent and the rock is Lewisian gneiss. There are many skerries and small islands near it such as Geile Sgeir, Garbh Eilean, Eilean nam Feannag, Linngeam, Cliatasay, Gousam and yet another Floday."
"notes that 'the one-button [coat] is notoriously difficult to balance - the cutter's answer to a perfect pirouette en pointe - hence Huntsman's pride in it'. Huntsman has a long history of commissioning exclusive cloths for its customers, particularly bold checked tweeds. These are produced on an annual basis at the family-run 'Islay Woollen Mill', the oldest woollen mill in the Inner Hebrides. In 2014, the house produced a collection of exclusive tweeds inspired by those worn by Huntsman's famous patron Gregory Peck. A clothes worn by Peck and cut by Huntsman's famous former Head Cutter Colin Hammick in the"
"St Kilda, Scotland St Kilda () is an isolated archipelago situated west-northwest of North Uist, in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom. Three other islands (Dùn, Soay and Boreray) were also used for grazing and seabird hunting. The islands are administratively a part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area. The origin of the name ""St Kilda"" is a matter of conjecture. The islands' human heritage includes numerous unique architectural features from the historic"
"of the Outer Hebrides. By December 1990, the final draft of the bill and been circulated, and by April 1991, the eleven members of the Harris Tweed Association unanimously approved the terms, subject to such alterations as the Parliament of the United Kingdom might think fit to make to it. Readings of the bill took place in early 1991 and, after some procedural difficulties with regard to European Law, received the Royal Assent in July 1993. After 82 years as voluntary guardian of the Harris Tweed industry and Orb trade marks, the Harris Tweed Association became the Harris Tweed Authority,"
"the Isle of Lewis, where he lives, and is chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides who were named Textile Brand of the Year at the Vogue.com Scottish Fashion Awards in both 2009 and 2011 as well as UK Textile Company of the Year at the UK Fashion and Textile Awards in 2013. He is also a director of Celtic Football Club, which he has supported since childhood. Wilson wrote Celtic's official centenary history (Celtic, A Century With Honour, Collins Willow 1988) and more recently the Official History of Celtic to mark the club's 125th anniversary. Having maintained connections with Cuba, he"
"Fladda-chùain Fladda-chùain, or Fladaigh Chùain, is an island of the Inner Hebrides north of the Trotternish peninsula of Skye. It is the major island of the Fladda-chùain group between Skye and the Outer Hebrides. The name of the island derives from Old Norse ""Flatey"", meaning a ""flat island"", and ""Cuan"", a Scottish Gaelic word meaning ""ocean"" (or bay in Irish and Old Gaelic). The latter probably refers to the Minch, which is known as ""An Cuan Sgìth"" (""Ocean of Skye"") or ""Cuan na Hearadh"" (""Ocean of Harris""). The suffix is also added to distinguish this island from the many others"
"""hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several purtenances (The Outer Hebrides) and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides."" Aside from the concentration of industry and services in the Stornoway area many of the historical sites have associated visitor centres, shops or cafes. There is a pharmaceutical plant near Breasclete which specialises in fatty acid research. The main fishing fleet (and associated shoreside services) in Stornoway is somewhat reduced from its heyday, but"
"Hebrides The Hebrides (; , ; ) compose a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic, and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive influences of Celtic, Norse, and English-speaking peoples. This diversity is reflected in the names given to the islands, which are derived from the languages that have been spoken there in historic and perhaps prehistoric times. The Hebrides are the source of much of Scottish Gaelic"
"visited the Outer Hebrides. The island is Lewisian gneiss. Vacsay has an extremely complicated coastline, and is connected at low tide to several surrounding islets such as Trathasam, and Liacam. It is between the islands of Vuia Mòr and Pabay Mòr and is off Great Bernera. Vacsay Vacsay ( from Old Norse ""bakkiey"" meaning ""peat bank island"") is one of the Outer Hebrides. It is off the west coast of Lewis in West Loch Roag. It is in size, and at its highest point. Like many of the surrounding islands, Vacsay is uninhabited due to the Highland Clearances, which occurred"
"Despite the name the Harris tweed industry is today focused in Lewis with the major finishing mills in Shawbost and Stornoway. Every length of cloth produced is stamped with the official Orb symbol, trademarked by the Harris Tweed Association in 1909, when Harris Tweed was defined as ""hand-spun, hand-woven and dyed by the crofters and cottars in the Outer Hebrides""; Machine-spinning and vat dyeing have since replaced hand methods, and only weaving is now conducted in the home, under the governance of the Harris Tweed Authority, established by an Act of Parliament in 1993. Harris Tweed is now defined as"
"stones silhouetted against Loch Langass, Loch Eport, and Eaval make Pobull Fhinn one of the most visited and most photographed sites on North Uist. Pobull Fhinn Pobull Fhinn ( ) is a stone circle on the Isle of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The name is Gaelic. The first word has been variously spelt as ""pobull"", ""poball"", ""pobul"" or as plural ""pobuill"". The phrase can be translated as ""Fionn's people"", ""the white/fair people"", or ""Finn's tent"". The plural form ""Pobuill Fhinn"" can be translated as ""Fionn's peoples"" and is unlikely to be correct. The stones were probably named after"