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17th January 2012 - Harris Tweed. Murdo Morrison
On Tuesday 17th January the Club Members and visiting members from Carluke Probus Club were privileged to have as their guest speaker Mr Murdo Morrison from Wishaw who gave a most entertaining and enlightening discourse on the development of the Harris Tweed industry from earliest times up to the present day. Born on the Isle of Lewis it was only natural that he would begin his working life as a handloom weaver and while that career was perhaps short lived his love of the product and his lifetime involvement with both the Harris Tweed Authority and as Chairman of the Highland Fund more than fulfilled his earliest ambitions. The quality of the cloth created in this cottage industry on Harris and in the Outer Hebrides was recognised by Lady Dunmore who also witnessed the plight of the crofters in the mid 19th century. She was instrumental in raising funds for the purchase of looms to augment income for a people who were on the brink of starvation. The conversion of wool into a saleable cloth is a complex process and the development of natural dyes from lichens, various berries and other secret ingredients had a long gestation period before bringing to market what is a most enduring, colourful and versatile material. The modern handloom is of course a much-improved version of the one Murdo operated but still forms an essential part of a crofter’s annual income. Happily, this industry has been protected by an Act since 1911, fought off many challengers and only cloth woven and dyed in the islands is entitled to have the well-known logo of an orb surmounted by a cross on the finished product. His presentation led to a lively Q & A session with the members showing their hearty appreciation in the usual manner. President Jim Watt reminded members that the speaker on Tuesday 7th February will be Mrs Heather Anderson who will give a talk on Organic Farming. |