The Act of Parliament in 1993 brought into being the Harris Tweed Authority, a new statutory body, replacing the Harris Tweed Association originally set up in 1909.
In accordance with the Act, Harris Tweed cloth must be: “Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.”
The Act ensures that all cloth certified with the Harris Tweed Orb symbol complies with this definition.
This legislation – alongside the work of the Harris Tweed Authority – allows the safeguarding of the Harris Tweed name, quality and reputation.
“The role of the Harris Tweed Authority is to promote and maintain the authenticity, standard and reputation of the world famous Harris Tweed cloth. We oversee the production and inspection of the cloth from start to finish. Only when satisfied that the article is genuinely deserving of our historic Orb will we brand the cloth with the certification mark.
The mark of the Orb, also found on the traditional label affixed to finished items, guarantees the highest quality tweed - dyed, spun and handwoven by islanders of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland in their homes to the laws outlined in the Harris Tweed Act of Parliament.”
Alasdair Macleod is from Point in Lewis and has been on the HTA Board for 14 years. He was formerly a Primary Head teacher in Lewis for 17 years and in 1999 became Gaelic Development Officer for CNES. He was also the Council’s European Development Officer before he retired in 2010. He then represented the Point Ward on CNES for ten years. He is currently involved with a variety of community organisations and is also a newspaper columnist and regular contributor to Gaelic programmes on the BBC.
Donald is one of two Comhairle nan Eilean Siar representatives on the Board. Originally from Swordale, he has lived in Upper Coll since being elected Councillor for the Loch A Tuath Ward in 2012. He has been Chairman of the Comhairle's Sustainable Development Committee since 2017. He believes the Harris Tweed® brand is a vital element to the future success of the local economy and culture and its promotion and protection is crucial. Mr Crichton is also an elected Trustee of the Stornoway Trust Estate.
Ian has lived in Lewis since 1983 and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was responsible for Professional Development & Teacher Education at the University of the Highlands and Islands for 15 years.
Rachel Mackay works freelance in TV Production. She comes from Stornoway and maintains close links with the island. Rachel's passion is for language, culture and fashion. She is a strong lobbyist for the survival of the Gaelic language and protection of the unique culture of the Outer Hebrides and brings an articulate youth voice to our organisation.
Angus Maclennan, who hails from the village of Govig on the west side of Harris, is employed by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as Head Teacher of e-Sgoil (translates as e-School), an innovative digital educational project based here in the Outer Hebrides. Angus brings to the HTA experience of management and leadership, national educational contacts and Gaelic language skills.
Malcolm attended The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway and the Lews Castle College, followed by Dewsbury & Batley Technical & Art College where he obtained a Diploma in Textiles. He worked for Clansman Holdings Ltd as a Quality Controller before joining Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as a Management Services Officer with an MMS (Dip) qualification gained in post. Currently, Malcolm is Chair of Stornoway Historical Society, Chair/Secretary of Stornoway Athletic FC and an Officer in the Boys' Brigade, as well as a member of other local bodies. Malcolm has also written and co-written several books on Leeds United and local history, including The Darkest Dawn - The Story of the Iolaire Tragedy.
Megan was born in New Zealand and grew up on a dairy farm before moving to Australia as a teenager. Megan attended university in Melbourne, Australia and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. On moving to the Outer Hebrides in 2016, Megan started her own business - Sandwick Bay Candles. What started as a lifestyle business from home is now a successful women led business with a retail outlet in Stornoway and a workshop, where their own home fragrance products are manufactured. The business currently employs 6 FTE staff members and sustainability is at the heart of Sandwick Bay’s business ethos.
Stuart Cassells is a Scottish cultural and business leader with a career spanning music, tourism, luxury brands and international business. A former BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Stuart founded and fronted the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, helping take Scottish traditional music to audiences around the world. He subsequently moved into senior leadership roles within Scotland’s tourism and whisky industries, including leading The Famous Grouse Experience and holding senior roles at The Macallan, where his work encompassed brand experience, luxury hospitality and international private clients. Stuart is the founder of Best Scot, a business focused on creating and promoting exceptional Scottish cultural experiences. He is passionate about protecting Scotland’s cultural heritage while finding contemporary and commercially sustainable ways to share it with audiences around the world. He brings to the Harris Tweed Authority experience in strategic leadership, international brand development, tourism, luxury consumer engagement and the promotion of Scottish culture.
Head of Enterprise Support, Innse Gall, Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Natalie comes from a family of Harris Tweed® weavers and has a longstanding connection to the industry, with her father having previously served on the Harris Tweed Authority Board. She has extensive experience in economic development across both business and community sectors, alongside a financial services background in wealth management and, latterly, investment banking. From Stornoway, Natalie moved back home in 2022 and brings a strong understanding of the island economy, together with commercial and financial experience.