Some disappointing news today from Scotland. It seems Hunters of Brora has been sold to a ready-to-wear company, and that company will no longer be supplying fabrics to tailors or individual customers. Instead, all fabrics and archive books will be used exclusively for the ready-to-wear label. The sale marks and end to what’s been a turbulent time for the 114 year-old Hunters name. The company was sold in 2003 and the mill closed shortly thereafter. The retail side was also struggling for some time, but lived on for ten years thanks to the help of a family.
At the moment, the remaining stock of tweed is being sold to anyone who’s interested (including non-trade customers, such as clients of bespoke tailors). Prices are discounted and negotiable, but you’ll have to contact Hunters for details. I bought a jacket’s length of the Kildary Blarmor Tweed, which has a mixture of birdseye and herringbone. My friend David loaned me some of Hunters’ books a few years ago and I thought that was one of the standouts. Sad to see it’ll no longer be produced for public purchase.
(Many thanks to Mark for the correction on an earlier version of this article, which said that the Hunters mill will be closing soon, when in fact it’s been closed for some time).
(photos via Source4Style)
