Welcome to our new website, we’re so pleased (and relieved) you found us! We’ve moved for a variety of reasons, cost is one, where the servers are located is another, but the big one is how user-friendly this host is for non-IT savvy folks (like us). We hope this means we’ll be keeping you up to date on a more regular basis. Please be patient with us while we rebuild our digital home. xxx
As we mentioned in January, we’ve been doing some re-assessing and re-building, after a 2025 which was a wild roller coaster of a year, both good and difficult. You’ll see some of the results of that work starting to seep into our newsletters.
Events
Our Knit & Natter evenings returned to Ardgay Hall on 4 February. They take place every Wednesday through June, 7-9pm, and all levels are welcome. Tea, coffee and chat are provided. If you’re at all interested, don’t be shy, it’s a wonderfully supportive group, and you will be very welcome. If you have any questions, give me a shout. The evenings are free to attend, thanks to the generosity of the Ardgay & District Community Council and the Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Fund.
We had a great time at two of our favorite events: we’ll be at the Dornoch Fibre Fest on 14-15 March, and The Scottish Wool Producers Showcase in Perth on 21 March. And we’re looking into attending the Lairg Crofters Show and the Sutherland Show again this year too, as part of an intensified push to reach out to the farming community. We’re also working with local organizations on a special event and series of workshops kicking off in September – stay tuned for more information about all that.
Meanwhile, our host farm, The Hirsel, is participating in Open Farm Sunday on 7 June, 11am – 4pm. A tour of the mill, and the chance to ask all your questions of Donna, Donald and the team will be a part of this fantastic day. Here are the details:
The Hirsel will open to the public on 7 June, 11am-4pm, with farmers Donald, Donna, and the Highland Wool Team will be on hand to answer questions about the farm and our animals, talk about Highland Wool and our small batch wool carding, and what farming on a centuries-old, nature friendly hill farm is like. Visitors will be able to offer feedback about our plans to turn The Hirsel into a community farm, and to sign up to get involved in farm projects.
This isn’t a fancy day – you will see The Hirsel ‘as is’, with all the blemishes and unfinished projects…and the reasons why we love it. There’ll be two walks – at noon and 2pm – down the farm track past our busiest fields, and through the ‘Gallimaufry’ where our Hebridean mums and lambs are grazing. We’ll see the old path where the cattle used to walk on their way to join the Drovers gangs, and end at the gate leading to the ancient woodland in the north of the farm. Think twice about bringing young children, the walk will be heavy on information, and there will be no cuddling of lambs.
Those who are more interested in machinery and how the mill works will want stay in the steading to hang out with Donald, our carding engineer and overall machine man.
Farm produce – mutton and eggs – will be available for purchase, and hot drinks will be provided.
Appropriate footwear is required, as the terrain is uneven, and children must be accompanied by adults at all times. Sorry, no dogs please.
Free entry, but reservations are recommended – we have limited parking, so please reserve if you need a parking spot. If you must park outside of the farmgate, please do not park in passing places – we look ‘remote’, but it’s a well used, narrow road with farm vehicles throughout the day – yes, even on Sundays!
****Reservations: info@thehirsel.com****
Going Batty!
Meanwhile, we’ll be bringing sales online soon – probably after the March festivals – and will send out a notice when we’re ready to start taking orders. Until then, look for our batts at Caledonian Wool Co. in Ft. William, andGinger Twist in Edinburgh.
Great news: Jacquie’s Art Shop in Bonar Bridge is also carrying our wool now, as well as all the art, sewing, or yarn supplies you might need. She’s on Migdale Road, just around the corner from the Spar, and is open Tuesdays (10am-12noon), and Wednesdays/Thursdays (10am-4pm). She doesn’t have a website, she’s analogue only – stop in for a chat and a looksee.
Bookings for consignment processing
are open for the 2026 harvest. We’re able to return it to you as fluff, or as carded batts, with an upward limit of 25kg. Read up on our processing guidelines, and look for an announcement in early February.
We buy wool
We’ll be buying more wool from local farms this year. Bringing more value to farmers for their wool harvest is a core part of our mission, and last year we were able to purchase some Black Cheviot and Dutch Spotted fleeces from two of our neighbours. We think it worked out really well for both sides, so we’ll be doing more of that this year. If you’re interested in selling: we’re looking for clean white or coloured wool from farms local to Ardgay/Bonar Bridge, and we especially love native/heritage breeds. We can also arrange a trade: donate the wool, and get some carded batts from it for your own use. Drop me an email (info@highlandwool.scot), if you want more info or a callback. Or if you have a favourite breed you’d like us to try to source.
That’s all for now. Remember, you can write for more information, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Emails are better than calls, as I’m often out in the field or in the mill, where it’s harder to answer the phone.
Thanks for hanging in there with us – and see you soon!
xdonnagillies
Highland Wool 