Internationally acclaimed, Knockando has a heritage that dates back over 230 years, we live and breathe history from our idyllic Speyside Mill location.
Authentic craftsmanship and time-honoured weaving skills are used to create luxury collections of beautifully woven products in fresh, contemporary designs.
Exclusive, small batch yarns and fabrics are the hallmark of our work with our beautiful products enjoyed by customers all over the world.
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Do you have a Knockando item that is particularly dear to you? Send us a photograph, tell us the adventures you've had and what makes it so special.
Please send to office@kwc.co.uk
My favourite item is this throw my gran bought me from the Wool mill before it was refurbished. My gran was born at distillery cottages, Tamdhu in 1923. We came up in November 2005 for a weekend after I had done family history research and showed her all of the places her family had lived including Upper Tomdow, Crofts, Boldow and Lower Kirdalbeg. We also found graves in the church yard and she was delighted to think she had walked past them and not realised they were family. We met a gentleman (the owner I think) when we were looking around the old mill and she told him her mother used to walk past there, over the wee bridge, going to school. He spoke to her for ages, she was so happy and used to love it up there. She then asked if he had anything to buy and she treated me to this throw. I adore it, what a super weekend we had.
This has been my favourite blanket for the past 19 years, the first one I bought from the Woolmill. I moved to Knockando in 2000. Soon after it got bitterly cold and we were completely snowed in in April, no heating system installed, yet. It immediately became obvious that only lots of pure wool and a wood stove would answer our needs. (maybe for others an additional wee dram). I have always loved handling the different fleeces, spinning and knitting my own garments.
I ventured out to find the Woolmill, ducked my "heed" at the entrance and discovered heaven in a mysterious, semi-dark shed. Thick, soft blankets, double sided, beautiful colours, all waiting in some cardboard boxes. Next door Hugh was busy weaving more on the old noisy loom.
This first big blanket I bought has always been proudly displayed on my different sofas, and during most of the year is keeping me snug and warm. It has accompanied me through several more moves and has embraced visitors, admired by all. So far, no wear in sight.
I am thinking of taking it with me as an essential when I finally need to go where all the white wooly clouds are at home.
Here is my precious Knockando Woolmill square scarf, purchased while on one of the many annual holidays my family spent In Morayshire when I was a child, then teenager, in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
We would drive up from Glasgow to Lossiemouth or Burghead and spend 2 weeks in a caravan near the sea. The highlight of these holidays was when we visited the family of my mother’s best friend, farming folk who lived in two farmhouses separated by a pine forest between Knockando and Carron-on Spey. With Ben Rinnes in the distance, the River Spey flowing through the valley, and smoke from a distillery chimney the only sign of other human habitation, it seemed like paradise. The nearest shop was a post office-cum-grocery store in Knockando.
I don’t know exactly in what year I visited the woolmill shop and bought my scarf - perhaps around 1970 - and my last visit to the area was in 1980. My scarf went with me to London when I started my first job, and migrated with me to Australia in 1981. It still looks as good as new, and the earthy colours haven’t lost any of their vibrancy. Just looking at it brings back fond memories of a carefree time and a beautiful place.
One of my best friends Elizabeth introduced me to the wonderful Knockando Woolmill, becoming great fans. We discovered that we had the exact same date of birth; same day, month and year. I was approx 4 hours older than her. It was such a special moment when we realised this.
As a birthday treat Elizabeth bought me the round vase you see in the picture. This purchase was all the more special and poignant because, at that time she was ill in hospital but still showed thoughtfulness and love to me by having the vase purchased. I visited her in hospital and she gave me my gift. I was thrilled. Tragically, Elizabeth succumbed to her illness and my dear friend passed away.
In her memory I have gone back to Knockando Woolmill several times (I would visit more but I live approx 75 miles away). I also bought the two other items in the picture, to join my original vase, along with items of clothing for myself or as gifts.
I remember my friend daily; whenever I look at my vase. Knockando is a wonderful place and I hope to visit again once everything is back to normal.
It was 2015 when I made a road trip around Scotland. I stayed at Stella Kytes B&B for quite a few days. She and her husband were the loveliest hosts. She gave me a tour around your beautiful Mill. It was a very special time for me because I had just been accepted to university. As a treat, to celebrate, I bought this beautiful blanket which are just my colours. The picture was taken a few days later when I went to the Isle of Skye and took a bath in the fairy ponds. I still cherish the feeling of sitting by the ponds afterwards, cosy, cuddled in your beautiful blanket. Today it lies on my couch and when I am done studying for the day, I wrap myself around it and enjoy a nice book, never getting cold. So it is a memory of a beautiful time in my life, a beautiful country and beautiful woolmill. I will never forget.
Thank you for these memories!
Jojo Adamson wearing her lovely pink tweed collar.
