This is probably the only place where you can see a kilt being made and visit an exhibition devoted to the whole topic.

Location: Inverness

Distance from Fraoch Lodge: approx 30 miles

Accessible by public transport:

Yes – the exhibition is easy walking distance from both the bus and train terminals in Inverness. Local buses do run from Boat of Garten to the main bus depot in Inverness without change or you can use a bus/train combination to get to Inverness from Fraoch Lodge

About the exhibition

The exhibition is very small but interesting nonetheless. There is probably the most extensive collection of tartan samples you’ll ever see in one section. All the samples are labelled with the clan to which they are associated. Some you’ve probably never heard of or seen before, but they come in all shades of the rainbow. You’ll probably find one to suit your taste in the colour spectrum, even if your family is not associated with the clan.

You can also work your way around the sections of models displaying full Highland dress. These have all been acquired or donated to the exhibition; from military dress to the outfit worn in Braveheart.

There’s also a brief film including snippets from a couple of Carry On films showing the world-wide influence of tartan and the kilt in music and film as well as on Scotland as a whole. It also details how the kilt is made and shows the qualified kiltmakers at work in all stages of making a kilt. What I didn’t realise before visiting the exhibition is that every stage of these kilts is made by hand.

If you visit on a weekday, you’ll also get to see the kiltmakers as work. It’s basically a wee cottage industry in a large room upstairs from the shop. You need space to make a kilt due to the length of tartan which has to be measured out.

Tour options

The whole visit is unlikely to take more than an hour, but will provide you with a talking point at the end of the day and some fascinating information to take home with you. It makes for part of a great day out if you’re trying to think of something to do on your “day off” in the middle of one of our Cairngorm walking holidays.

The Scottish Kiltmaker’s Exhibition in Inverness is part of the Tarten and Tweed (self-guided tour) based at Fraoch Lodge

Here’s a question to consider: how many sheep’s fleeces would it take to make one kilt?

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I still remember studying the industrical revolution and social history in school as part of ‘O’ and ‘A’ level history, and being bored to tears with the whole subject. I don’t know if it was the subject material or the teaching methods. Would I have been more interested if I had been taken on a mill tour then – who knows? But now, I find the whole process of making fabric fascinating and our 6 year old loves a visit to Knockando Woolmilll: he also loves turning his hand to a bit of spinning, weaving and knitting.

The Mill

Knockando wool mill is Britain’s oldest district wool mill. It has never been a huge industrial site, such as you would have seen in Yorkshire or in the Scottish Borders (the world heritage site of New Lanark being a classic example). Instead Knockando was a result of farm diversification. The farmers had sheep, which needed shearing. Shearing produced fleeces. The fleece needed processing: hence the need of a local mill, which would spin the fleece into yarn and weave the yarn into blankets and tweed cloth.

Mills such as Knockando used to be commonplace in farming communities, but many of them faded away between the two world wars as the community changed. Somehow Knockando survived and the expertise needed to use the victorian machinery survived and was passed down to the current owner and into the Trust which now runs the mill. Further details are available from the Knockando Mill website.

The mill has now been completely restored and the machinery can all be used to produce cloth from raw fleece, as was the original intention. It is a fascinating site to visit and well-worth taking a tour or joining one of their workshops.

We’ve actually toured the mill site numerous times and have enjoyed the family/group activities they have on offer and we could still go again. It’s a small site, but fascinating. We’ve included it on the Cairngorm Discovery tour as well. Some of their yarn, though expensive, makes me want to use it. It has been dyed by Ripples Yarns and is the most glorious range of colours inspired by the Cairngorm scenery.

Knockando have also teamed up with Shilasdair Shop and Dye House on Skye.

The options:

1. Tour of the mill site
2. Visit the cafe
3. Peruse the shop and interactive display
4. Follow the trail around the site
5. Visit the working mill to see the machinery in action
6. Join a spinning, weaving, rug making, felting workshop.

The mill reopens for the 2015 season on 23rd March just in time for the Easter holidays.

A Cairngorm Discovery tour is aimed at families so suitable for most ages and levels of fitness, but you don’t have to have children to enjoy this itinerary. The trip is designed as an introduction to the diversity of this area and includes a visit to Knockando Wool Mill complete with activities which are booked in advance and included in the price of the tour. Above is a picture of Victoria, having a go at spinning some yarn. Victoria was 11 at the time. She also did a wee bit of weaving.

If you have a family or group of 4 or more we can arrange this trip for you to dates of your choice, if available. However, we have also set aside some fixed dates in our calendar which can be booked by couples, individuals or families. The first of these dates runs in the Easter holidays.

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Chainsaw carving exhibition in Carrbridge

Here at Scot Mountain Holidays we never cease to be inspired by and in awe of the talent which produces the local arts and crafts, and this September 3rda family favourite event, showcasing exceptional creativity, returns to the Cairngorms.

Carve Carrbridgeis an annual Scottish open carving competition which takes place in the village sports field, 4 miles from Fraoch Lodge (cycling distance, according to Rebecca, whose done it several times! You can cycle either on or off-road.)

Dragonfly

The details

The event has stands for spectators who can watch the competition live, as top chainsaw carvers from around the world compete for prize money and the coveted Claymore trophy. Some competitors come from as far as the US or Europe to compete amongst UK’s own.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to get outside and hear live music, partake in activities, games and stalls and treat themselves to local food and drink. Not to mention a traditional Scotland Highland event.

Mountain lion

The creativity of the competitors is simply amazing. They take what looks like nothing more than a chunk of tree to create visually stunning pieces of art. Wolves, eagles, people, and even landscapes are common inspiration. One memorable year a carver created a man with ball and chain!

Eagle

There is also speed carving segment with a different theme each year (in most recent memory, it was owls). To see them created before your eyes at improbable speeds is simply astounding.

Bonus results

It’s always exciting to attend Carve Carrbridge and see what the artists have in store for the season. This is a highly recommended event for couples, families, friends and solo travellers alike. Carrbridge is a charming Highland village with warm welcomes for its international visitors. They also host the World Porridge Making Championship, this year will be its 23rd Annual Golden Spurtle(the lucky best porridge maker’s prize).

We hope you come to stay with us at Froach Lodge just outside Carrbridge and join in on the fun!

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