Black Isle tartan mill produces natural fabric face covering to combat coronavirus Covid-19
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The only tartan weaving mill in the Highlands has launched a unique face covering service.
Prickly Thistle, based on the Black Isle, has created the Mask of Integrity, a tailored reusable mask made from natural fabrics which is available via subscription.
Director Clare Campbell teamed up with the Edinburgh-based Institute of Occupational Medicine to make sure the mask was as effective as possible.
“Over the last six months, Prickly Thistle has been bombarded with requests for a natural fibre mask, and I could not morally produce these without the confidence in their effectiveness,” she said. “We did donate 1000 masks during that time, made from kilt lining cotton cloth, with nose-pinch wires, an added filter insert pocket and adjustable straps.
“Now that we have a fully tested sustainable face mask, we can start to mobilise the supply chain and wider Scottish textile industry to meet the pre-order demand.
“From the yarn suppliers and weavers to the finishers and seamstresses, this is a collaborative endeavour.”
The durability of the cloth for the mask is based on key information from the woven sail craftsmanship of the Viking age. Ms Campbell was inspired after reading The Golden Thread and contacted Professor Donna Heddle, director of the University of the Highlands and Islands institute for Northern Studies.
Prof Heddle said: “Their [Vikings] ships were models of efficient and resilient construction. We can only marvel at the quality and durability of their sails, created by the women usually over the winter.
“Research shows that the Viking woollen cloth sails have far greater longevity than the later linen ones, and adapt and cope with weather conditions much more effectively.”
