
Harris Tweed
Harris Tweed is a historic and iconic cloth, handwoven for centuries by crofters—small-scale farmers—on the remote islands of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Originally known as clò mòr (which means “big cloth” in Scottish Gaelic), it was made using wool from local sheep, washed in soft, peaty water and dyed with colours from island plants and lichens. These early tweeds were warm, tough, and deeply rooted in the landscape—woven for everyday use or traded within local communities.
By the late 1700s, the cloth’s unique durability and ability to withstand the wild northern weather had started attracting attention beyond the islands. In the 1840s, Lady Dunmore—widow of the Earl of Dunmore and owner of the North Harris Estate—played a key role in popularising Harris Tweed. She commissioned garments from the cloth and promoted it as ideal for hunting and outdoor wear. It wasn’t long before it became a favourite among the British aristocracy.



As time went on, the process evolved. Mills were set up to handle the carding and spinning of the wool, but the weaving was—and still is—done by hand, in the homes and sheds of islanders, using specially designed treadle looms. Harris Tweed is now the only fabric in the world protected by its own Act of Parliament. The Harris Tweed Act of 1993 makes sure that every piece of cloth bearing the famous Orb Mark is handwoven by islanders in the Outer Hebrides, using pure virgin wool dyed, spun, and finished on the islands.

Although the industry went through tough times in the mid-20th century, Harris Tweed has seen a strong revival in recent decades. Today, nearly 120 skilled weavers keep this incredible tradition alive. The village of Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, is one of the communities helping to carry this heritage forward.
At Studio Tolsta, we feel honoured to work with Harris Tweed. It’s more than just fabric—it’s a piece of history that speaks of resilience, tradition, and place. Every bag and cushion we make with it is a celebration of craftsmanship and the wild beauty of the Hebrides.
