Lairg & District Learning Centre will be screening Robert Aitken’s THREADS from the DEEP, a portrait of internationally renowned tapestry artist Joan Baxter from her home in East Sutherland by filmmaker Robert Aitken. This will be screened throughout the day and have subtitles.

Gabriele Brown, Hackland Wool Shed/Hackland Farms (11:30am)
Gabriele will be talking about her farm and wool business, and why they are are inextricably linked. More info to come. Meanwhile, visit their website here.

Samantha Farmer – Highland Magic Fibre Arts (12:30pm)
Samantha’s work spans the wool chain from raw fleece and fibre selection through to yarn development, weaving, dyeing, and finished products. Alongside her creative practice, Samantha is passionate about connecting people with the story behind the materials they use and exploring the cultural and economic value of regional wool production. Samantha will be talking about her research and process. Visit Highland Magic Fibre Arts here.

Scotland’s Micro-Mill Movement. (1:30pm)
In the journey to sustainability, ‘local’ is key – and that’s true of the wool industry too. Reversing the trend toward centralization and the ‘bigger is better’ outlook, the micro mill movement works with local farmers and crafters to ensure traceability, quality, fair returns to producers, and lower transport miles on the finished product. During this talk, you’ll meet representatives of the three (at this writing) micro-mills that have started processing local wool since 2022: Mill of Kintyre, Creation Mill Langholm, and Highland Wool. Moderator: Susan Anderson/The Journal of Scottish Yarns

Hands on and Demonstrations: the Highland Guild of Spinning, Weaving and Dying
A group of people from all over the Highlands of Scotland and beyond who enjoy weaving, spinning or dyeing (often all three!). They are always happy to encourage new members and beginners are welcome – no need to feel you might not be good enough; They all enjoy passing on their skills and learning from each other. Visit their website here.
The HGSWD is affiliated with the Association of Guilds of WSD

Wool Repair with Marieke – Learn to visibly or invisibly repair your wool jumpers! Learn-as-you-fix class with pointers and a helping hand from Marieke.

Wool Swish table – Bring your pre-loved wool item of any sort, and trade it in for something new-to-you. You can drop things off at the mill ahead of the fest – please alert us ahead of time! – or bring it to the hall on the day. A great way to give a second life to a loved item that is no longer useful to you, but will be treasured by someone else. Wool is an incredibly long-lived fibre…let’s share the love!

The Learning Centre’s  Zelka Pearson will offering  drop-in activities for children and young people, including pom-pom making, personalised wool-wrapped letters and colourful woollen yarn art.

All materials supplied. Everyone welcome!

Susan Anderson, The Journal of Scottish Wool
The Journal of Scottish Yarns is a biannual print and digital magazine which exists to promote Scottish textiles by sharing stories or people, places and history and commissioning craft designs which use materials from Scottish textile businesses. In the process of meeting lots of people and learning about Scottish textiles Susan is building a network of knowledge which she shares as a free download from her website: Scottish Farm to Yarn.

Hackland Wool Shed
“From my Wool Shed to your home! Everything here is handmade and produced with care using mostly wool from my own flock of Hebridean and Lleyn Sheep and other flocks in Orkney but also wool produced all over the UK. In this little corner of the farm, you’ll find my workshop where I design beautiful wet and needle felted creations, rugs and pads woven on the peg loom, and vibrant clothing.” More info to come. Meanwhile, visit their website here.

Bunloit Woolery
“We stock home produced and locally sourced fleece, Scottish yarns, along with simple knits and our own range of wool processing tools and equipment. Wheel repairs and bespoke pieces undertaken. All woolen products are from Scottish wool and the equipment is mostly made with wood from the croft.” Visit their Facebook page here.

Pam’s Tams/Pam Menzies
“Often asked ‘what do you do in the winter?’ After retirement, I hand knit these ‘tams’, usually sitting in front of the open fire. I find pleasure in choosing the designs and the amazing variety of colours to be sourced in Shetland wool.

Peedie Dragon
“Orkney is a very inspirational place to call home. When I found that a large percentage of sheep fleece from small scale farms (especially outer islands) is burned or composted rather than being worked with I felt something had to be done. Farmers work hard and produce a great product that is then wasted. I have been buying local Orkney fleece (this is my second year of producing yarns) and having it made into usable products. The farmers make a small income from the fibre and I get to show the world Orkney wool with roving, yarns, wallhangings and rugs.” Visit their website here.

Highland Magic Fibre Arts
Samantha Farmer is a textile artist, weaver, and founder of Highland Magic Fibre Arts, a Highlands-based practice centred on local wool, natural dyes, and contemporary fibre art. Working with fleece sourced directly from Highland farms, she develops small-batch yarns and creates handwoven textiles, knitted accessories, and original artworks inspired by the landscapes, plants, and agricultural traditions of the Scottish Highlands. You’ll be able to purchase her Highland-grown yarns, handwoven textiles, knitted accessories, fibre kits, and a selection of original textile artwork. Many of the materials are sourced directly from Highland farms and processed through Scottish mills, reflecting a commitment to regional fibre production and traditional craft skills. Visit Highland Magic Fibre Arts here.

Seed to Supper CIC
A Force for Good Food
Tackling food insecurity by helping to increase food production, support food producers, improve accessibility for consumers. Seed to Supper is one of the organizers of the Kyleside Fest, and will be here to talk about their upcoming projects.

Highland Wool
In addition to offering carded batts from local farms, Highland Wool will offer you the opportunity to tell us what you think is needed to support a sustainable wool industry in Scotland. How can Highland Wool help make that that a reality? You’ll be able to share your thoughts at the Highland Wool table, and we’ll make sure your ideas are put in front of our elected representatives.

Mill Tour – Friday 18th September, noon. Nestled in a collection of outbuildings and portacabins at our home farm, The Hirsel, Highland Wool combines hands-on skills with machinery processing to wash and card small batch wool from local farms in our low-impact micro-mill. This tour is free, but places are limited and reservations will be required (reservations open on 1 August).

THANK YOU!

The Highlands & Islands Climate Hub is funded by the Scottish Government and has the purpose of supporting community-led climate action across the region. the Hub is part of a network of 24 Climate Action Hubs across Scotland which support communities to make a just transition towards net zero and support a climate ready Scotland.

We operate across the Highland and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland with our team ready to assist communities in their climate action journey. From developing new projects with a specific climate action focus or working with community groups to embed more climate friendly behaviours into their existing work. From community engagement, climate action plans, net zero policies to design, development and delivery of a project we can lend additional capacity, support and advice.

The Climate Hub was the first funding organization to support Highland Wool CIC, and is supporting multiple participants in this year’s Kyleside Wool Fest, as part of the annual Highlands and Islands Climate Festival. Thank you!