Scottish Centre of Textiles to be based in Galasheils

The Scottish Centre of Textiles has come a “step closer” after it was confirmed that the national centre would be based in Galashiels, in the Scottish Borders.

Scottish MP Michael Moore, who has been working with Heriot-Watt University, textile producers, Borders College and project leaders to try to ensure it would be based in the region, stated that the project would be a boost to tourism as well as enhance the reputation of the Scottish textiles industry.

The next step for the Scottish Centre of Textiles project, led by textile designer Hamish Carruthers and community councillor Alisdaire Lockhart, is to find a suitable building to house the centre as well as to establish a Scottish National Textile Archive.

“Ever since I heard about the possibility of a Scottish Centre of Textiles, I have been campaigning to ensure that it is located in the Borders where 80 percent of the textile industry of Scotland is based,” said Moore. “Here in the Borders we have a world-class textiles industry and this centre has the potential to further enhance its reputation as well as boosting local tourism.”

Moore added: “I now look forward to working with the project leaders, our local textile industry and Heriot-Watt University to put in place the first stage of the project to establish a Scottish National Textile Archive which will bring together historic and contemporary textile collections produced in Scotland, for the public and global researchers to enjoy.”

It is also hoped that the Scottish Centre of Textiles will also house a manufacturing unit, a museum and a gallery, as well as a shop and cafe.