Scottish Centre of Textiles project to be based in Galashiels, MP confirms

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Feb 20, 2015

The Scottish Centre of Textiles Project is now "a step closer," local MP Michael Moore said this week. A meeting with stakeholders has confirmed that the Centre will be based in Galashiels.

The MP had worked closely with local textiles producers, Borders College, Heriot Watt University and project leaders Hamish Carruthers and Alisdaire Lockhart to bring the project to the area.

Next up is working with Heriot Watt University on the first stage of the SCOT project to establish a Scottish National Textile Archive. The aim of the archive is to further enhance the reputation of Scottish textiles, and to add to the tourist and professional footfall to the Borders area.

Commenting, Mr Moore said: "Ever since I heard about the possibility of a Scottish Centre of Textiles, I have been campaigning to ensure that it is located in the Borders where 80% of the textile industry of Scotland is based.

"Here in the Borders we have a world-class textiles industry and this Centre has the potential to further enhance its reputation as well as boosting local tourism.
 
"Choosing where to locate the project in the Borders has been a difficult process but with the railway and other attractions such as Abbotsford, it was decided today that it would be based in Galashiels.
 
"I now look forward to working with the project leaders, our local textile industry and Heriot Watt University to put in place the first stage of project to establish a Scottish National Textile Archive which will bring together historic and contemporary textile collections produced in Scotland, for the public and global researchers to enjoy."