Harris Tweed on Harris

We visited the Harris Tweed supply showroom.  It was actually an old, large, tin roofed shed with bolts of tweed fabric, both solid colors, herringbone patterns, and what is generally thought of as "tweed" fabrics.

In order for wool fabric to be an official Harris tweed, it must be wool from sheep raised and sheared in either Shetland, the Orkneys, on the Hebrides or any island on the western coastland of Scotland.  Further, not only this, but the fabric must be woven by foot powered treadles machines.  The weaver does his work, usually on a croft, and make a bit of money on these projects, but likely not enough to support himself in a comfortable manner.

Here is Donald Mackay working on his loom, working away in his small shed as he chatted with our group.

Another shop with Harris Tweed jackets made to order in his shop on the Butt of Lewis.

His prices:

The Butt of Lewis and its lighthouse:

In the Hebrides: Isle of Lewis

Stone Age Village replication of houses 4000 years ago:

Standing Stones:

 

The Lewis Chessmen were also found here in a small chest on this island and date back to the 12th century.

A link to the chessmen: 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lewis+chessmen+lewis&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&gws_rd=cr&redir_esc=&ei=N9noUcatN8KFhQeS6IHwDg

Lichen, Lobster Boxes, Highland Cows

We were told by a bus driver that one form of lichen grows only on the Hebrides because of the pure ness of the air quality.  I've not yet found this particular species yet, but here are a few pictures of lichen and lobster boxes.

Kilts galore for sale!

Highland cows

St. Magnus Cathedral on Orkney: