The Harris Tweed Authority
Educational Trust

The Story Room

The Harris Tweed® Story

Harris Tweed® is more than a unique handwoven textile. It is also the story of a real place with a rich history and culture, beautiful landscape and vibrant community located in Scotland’s remote and fascinating Outer Hebrides islands.

Situated in the heart of Stornoway, at the home of the Harris Tweed Authority, Sgeulachd a’ Chlò Mhòir/The Story of Harris Tweed will introduce you to the history and development of the Harris Tweed industry.

Navigate yourself around the room, using our hand-held audio devices. You will discover the processes from wool to yarn, watch a weaver work the looms and learn all about the Harris Tweed Act 1993. A member of staff will always be at hand for any questions.

Our Reviews

‘ Very informative. Nice to be able to touch things. Great colours, good mix of media (film, maps, materials). Great to see the weaving process in real, good, understandable explanations. ’

Zurich, Switzerland

‘ I'm grateful for this intimate insight into such an important part of the Heb way of life - Moran Taing! :). ’

Fort William, Scotland

‘ From the start, looking at the process of how the raw wool is treated. Also didn’t know it is made in people’s homes and not in a factory. I have found it fascinating!. ’

Lancaster, England

‘ Lovely place. So much information in a small room. ’

Sweden

‘ We loved the exhibition and lovely to visit the home of the Authority! Excellent! ’

Sheffield, England

‘ Loved it! I have travelled from Australia to Lewis/Harris to learn about HARRIS TWEED and weavers etc. Great display and warm, friendly staff. Brilliant! ’

Victoria, Australia

‘ Very engaging. Kids loved the app for designing their own tweed.! ’

Glasgow, Scotland

‘ Exhibition at Stornoway was fascinating, could have spent hours watching the weaving and hearing the history. Staff on duty - first class! ’

The Story Room

With summer now upon us here in the Outer Hebrides, we are again delighted to invite visitors back to the Harris Tweed Authority Story Room to share the provenance, process, and production of the ‘Chlò Mhòir’. Our guests are now able to book slots throughout the summer to attend the Story of Harris Tweed for a guided talk and a demonstration of the Harris Tweed® weaving process by a Harris Tweed® weaver.

Additionally, we will be open through the week for drop-in viewings of our exhibition where guests are invited to self-guide themselves around the exhibition using our handheld audio guides, with any donations made supporting the maintenance of The Story Room and activities of The Harris Tweed Educational Trust.

For specific drop-in times, please be sure to consult our opening times and social media to avoid disappointment.

Please note the Story Room has a maximum capacity of 15 guests at a time and that ‘drop-in’ sessions may be subject to change at short notice.

Book Visit Opening Times

Learning Resources

Discover Harris Tweed®

Design your own virtual fabric with our Harris Tweed® App available for free on Apple or Android. We would love to see your finished masterpieces or screenshots of your Harris Tweed® designs from the App.

Download your free Learning Resources pack, which contains:

  • A digital 'How Harris Tweed® is Made' leaflet
  • Four Colouring-In sheets with images from the home of Harris Tweed®
  • The Ultimate Harris Tweed® Quiz (Answers at the end; no cheating!)

Email us at [email protected] or tag your posts with #LoveHarrisTweed

Download

Buy Harris Tweed® Journal