How we began…..

Westcoast Weavers began in 2012, on the Isle of Skye. Today, our small weaving and sewing business is run by hand weaver Maggie MacLean and her husband John.

“Our happy place is on the West coast of Scotland. Whether it’s an exhilarating walk on the windswept hills with the dogs, wrapped up in thick woollen scarves and hats, or a leisurely meander on the beach armed with a blanket and a flask of tea, the West coast never fails to impress and inspire us.

Being on a small island, we are constantly reminded of the sea and the coast - it’s what surrounds us. It’s no wonder that we’re drawn time and time again to the deep teals and bright turquoises that feature so often in our weaving… or the muted greys of the volcanic sands… or the yellows and ochres of the lichen encrusted rocks.

We feel a calmness, a peacefulness and happiness when we’re immersed in this landscape. We hope that when you surround yourself in one of our blankets or scarves that you too will be reminded of the west coast of Scotland. “

Maggie is our main designer and weaver:

"I would be about 13 or 14 when I saw an advert in a local paper for an evening course in weaving. I remember the excitement of producing my first piece of cloth, that wondrous feeling of seeing it slowly unroll off the front beam. Something just clicked with me and weaving; I immediately loved it.

My lovely Dad made my first, simple loom until I’d saved up enough money from Saturday and holiday jobs, to buy my first table loom.

It was whilst I was at college in Cumbria, over 25 years ago, studying weaving, that I first visited Skye. I knew almost immediately and with some certainty, that this would be home one day. The stark beauty of the sea, the close proximity of the spectacular, rugged geology; it felt like an ancient landscape, remote and wild.

Following a couple of years working in a weaving mill in Carlisle, where head shawls for the Saudi’s were woven, (yes the red and white ones!) a post graduate degree and then 10 years of teaching Art, Textiles and Food Technology, that I finally moved to Skye and set up our small weaving and sewing business.”

Mentions and features in the press:

Country Living’s Modern Rustic - Artisan Profile

Coast

The Guardian

Elle Decoration

Country Walking