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While Scotland is only a small nation with an historically small population the influence of the Scots upon the world of today is disproportional. Throughout history a disproportionate number of Scottish men and women have played incredibly important roles in the history of the vast majority of countries of the world. From the Founding Fathers to American Presidents, British Prime Ministers to the great many explorers and missionaries the Scottish have help shape modern society. However Scotland is most widely known for it’s tartan, Harris Tweed, bagpipes and the likes.

Though the vast majority consider tartan and Harris Tweed to be fundamentally traditional Scottish nothing could be further from the truth. In actual fact much of what we consider to be traditionally Scottish was a purely Victorian exaggeration (and some say an invention). The famous author Sir Walter Scott and others took elements of the Scottish Highland culture and redesigned it in a more palatable form for the King of England. When Queen Victoria and Albert fell in love with the country more such creations developed to please the Royals and their parties.

Sir Walter Scott stimulated the Royal Family’s interest in Scotland who, in turn caused the English upper classes to become interested. During the reign of Queen Victoria Scotland became more accessible through the building of railway lines and it was not long before the upper classes of England began to visit. Indulging in the pursuits of hunting and fishing these early tourists did much to start the Scottish tourist industry.

While virtually all of the Victorian tourists wore Harris Tweed few visited the island which produced it. The Isle of Harris is a remote island in the Outer Hebrides and it was there, in 1844 that, under instruction of the Earl of Dunmore, the local weavers first produced the incredibly hard wearing material. Such were the qualities of the cloth, and the promotional work of Lady Dunmore, that it quickly became the height of fashion.

Hand made from local wool and colored using unique natural dyes there were few other materials that could compete. However it was not to last as cheaper materials became available from abroad. At an early stage the weavers of Harris ensured that only cloth produced in the Outer Hebrides could bear the name “Harris Tweed” and this has meant that the material is still produced today.

In recent years there has been renewed interest in this unique material. It has, at various times, made appearances on the catwalks of the world’s fashion centers and many still prefer it over other materials. It is still common to see men dressed in a Harris Tweed jacket but use of the material has, most recently, been much more diverse. Not too long ago Nike made a very large order for the material and produced a pair of shoes using it which proved very successful, even though they were often difficult to find.

In recent decades the Isle of Harris has seem a massive increase in the number of people visiting the island and tourism is now a major element of the local economy. Traditionally there have been summer and winter industries in the Hebrides and the production of Harris Tweed has always had a vital role. Unfortunately in the last few years the tweed industry has been in crisis and, at this moment, it is in something of a state of flux with the main mill closing. There is little doubt it will still be produced but the future is uncertain.

There is plenty to attract the visitor to the Isle of Harris, the rich Gaelic culture, the incredible number of archaeological sites, the unique flora and fauna and, last but not least, some of the most astounding landscapes to be seen in Scotland and the United Kingdom. Getting there is now easier than ever and while there are airports most travel by road across to the Isle of Skye and then by ferry to the village of Tarbert or Lochmaddy in Uist.

Last 5 posts by Angus MacLeod

• Tweed and the Isle of Harris - July 17th, 2008
• The Isle of Harris and Tweed - July 16th, 2008
• Taking A Hebrides Cycling Tour - July 16th, 2008
• Scotland's Castles, Balmoral - July 15th, 2008
• Holidays on the Isle of Lewis - April 3rd, 2008

Tags: Vacation Destinations