Royal visit to Scottish luxury accessories weaver Begg & Co

UK Fashion & Textile Association president HRH The Princess Royal, aka Princess Anne, visited Scottish luxury accessories weaver Begg & Co this week in her latest support for the "Let’s Make It Here" initiative. 

The Begg & Co mill in Ayr, on Scotland’s west coast, produces luxurious scarves, wraps and blankets from the finest cashmere, silk and wool blend yarns for the Begg & Co brand, as well as for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses, and has been proudly making in Scotland since 1866.

The visit was in celebration of Britain’s rich manufacturing heritage, which is gaining huge recognition again out of all the Brexit gloom. During her visit to Ayr, the UKFT president was shown the various stages of production at the mill, met with the skilled team members and was given an overview of the company’s impressive export business.

Ian Laird, CEO of Begg & Co, said: “As an advocate of British textiles, she particularly appreciated the success and growth we’ve had in developing Begg & Co with prestigious retailers around the world.”

Paul Alger MBE, International business director at UKFT, commented: “We are very pleased that HRH The Princess Royal and president of UKFT visited Begg & Co, which is a world-class mill with more than 150 skilled designers and craftspeople.

“The president is very interested to learn about manufacturing and to be part of promoting Scottish production and textiles. We look forward to more visits in the future.”

In recognition of the skills and talent within UK fashion and textile manufacturing, this year Her Royal Highness has embarked on a series of visits, from central London to Sheffield, the Cumbrian coast and Hertfordshire.

UKFT is working closely with the industry, as well as lobbying Government, to ensure the right conditions are created for businesses like Begg & Co to thrive.