Johnstons Woolen Mill of Elgin, Scotland Quiz

Answer: 1797

From the beginning, the company has traded from its present site at Newmill on the banks of the River Lossie and has always been run by just two families, the Johnstons and the Harrisons. As far back as 1851, the company have been pioneers in the weaving of vicuna and cashmere in Scotland.

Answer: False

The original records of Johnstons of Elgin state that in the early days, Alexander Johnston's main business was linen and flax; also had income from tobacco and oatmeal. The first reference to wool appears in the records in 1801, and the linen business was phased out during the first part of the 19th century. The woolen side was established in 1810.

Answer: Estate Tweeds

Both tweeds and tartans identify groups of people, but a tartan identifies members of the same family no matter where they live. Estate tweeds identify people who live and work in the same area whether they are related or not. The development of these was largely due to the decline in the influence of the clan chiefs after the battle of Culloden in 1746.

Answer: 1957

It was also damaged by floods in 1915 and 1997.

Answer: China and Mongolia

The soft, downy undercoat of the cashmere (Kashmir) goat are the reason it is so desired all over the world. The average cashmere goat gives about 4 1/2 ounces of underfleece a year and it must be combed or plucked by hand every spring. It takes the hair of one goat to make a scarf, two for a lady's sweater, three for man's and at least twenty-four for an overcoat.

Answer: South America

There are four South American camelid species, the llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuna. The vicuna is the smallest at only 2 to 3 feet tall and has the finest hair. The Incas were forbidden to kill vicuna. Instead they were captured alive in massive hunts, sheared and then set free.

Answer: True

The weaving plant is in Elgin and the knitting factory is in Hawick.

Answer: April 2021

From the beginning, Johnstons has used natural, biodegradable, and renewable materials in their commitment to reduce their environmental footprint. Animal welfare is important to them as well, and their herds are given the freedoms of good lifestyle, good environment, good nutrition, good handling, and good health.

Answer: Scarves

Originally the estate tweeds were woven in heavyweight cloths that were designed to withstand the Scottish weather. As clothes became lighter, the fashion for scarves was born.

Answer: True

When the underfleece arrives in Elgin, it is still matted, greasy, and full of course hairs. This fleece is de-haired to separate the fine cashmere and course guard hair. In the 19th century this was done by hand but towards the end of that century machines were developed. Johnstons pioneered them and for many years mechanical de-hairing was a closely kept industrial secret. Today, de-hairing by machine is commonplace and most cashmere is bought de-haired, but the capacity for de-hairing is still maintained in Elgin, so that the company retains the right to claim it processes the "fiber to garment" on one site.