On Wednesday 12 June 2013, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay visited Eastfield Mills, Hawick, the Borders home of international cashmere and tweed weaving specialists, Johnstons of Elgin.
During the visit Their Royal Highnesses unveiled The Royal Warrant which has been granted by HRH The Prince of Wales to the company for the manufacture and supply of Estate Tweed cloth to the Royal household. Commenting on the visit, the official Grantee, Director, Mr James Sugden OBE, said: “The visit is a great honour for us all at Johnstons, and we are delighted to have been awarded The Royal Warrant. We have been weaving these cloths continuously in our mills for over 200 years and they are part of our heritage. In his capacity as Chairman of the “Campaign for Wool”, His Royal Highness has done a great service to the farmers of our British and Scottish wool by promoting the use of domestically grown fibre. And by wearing the tweed, he has reinvigorated an old trade, for which we are all grateful.”
During the afternoon visit to the mill, Their Royal Highnesses met many of the Johnstons of Elgin staff engaged in the make up of garments, as well as apprentices joining what is now an expanding trade. At the same time, five local Kelso hill farmers, growers of the Cheviot wool used in Johnstons of Elgin’s fine tweed, were introduced to His Royal Highness, and local bales of greasy wool were displayed for inspection.
