Elara and I met Phil Pass last month on our travels in Scotland at the House of Tartan in Crieff. We struck up a conversation with him and noticed that they had a Go Fund Me campaign that said Keep Scottish Bonnets Alive in Scotland. He described what it was for and so we grabbed our camera and mics and said this is too important and you need to tell us all about this.
THE STORY:
We've just lost Scotland's last Bonnet production line.
The one that's been making Traditional Scottish Headwear in Stewarton, East Ayrshire for the last 178 years. (That's a Yes. We've just lost the last production line making this quality product in Scotland, in the UK, or anywhere else in the World.)
Stewarton itself is known as ‘the Bonnet Toun’ and has been since the 1600’s, so we’re also losing the last Bonnet Maker in Bonnet Toun.
THE PLAN:
To establish a new mini factory to continue making these products in Stewarton. Where visitors to The Bonnet Factory will be able to see the hats being finished, learn about the area's history of bonnet making and buy Scottish headwear products whilst there.
We are looking for your help with immediate funding to set up this new Bonnet Factory & Shop and start training some younger workers. Urgent action is needed to preserve this craft and its skills while we still have one or two highly experienced folk (albeit semi-retired) to teach them! This will not happen without you.
We need help to preserve this important piece of Scotland’s history; win back lost export sales and keep 'Making Bonnets in Bonnet Toun'.
Now is the only chance we’re going to get to keep this truly iconic Scottish Product alive. (And thank you so much to all those wonderful folk who have already given!!!)
Gies a hand?
Links:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-scott...
https://www.houseoftartan.com