In Langholm at Reid & Taylor

 In its heyday Reid & Taylor employed more than 200 people at its mill on the River Esk in Langholm. It was famous for making what was claimed to be the world’s most expensive twist suiting, a tightly woven, subtly decorated cloth that is rarely seen today. I loved the notice I found in the former mending room of the mill.

Today the mill is more modest, employing just 30 people, who produce Reid & Taylor’s mainly menswear cloths and women’s styles under the Neill Johnstone brand. Marling & Evans is another cloth name in the portfolio of the company, which is part of the S Kumars group of India. The Reid & Taylor’s output includes the luxurious Escorial quality, woven from very fine yarns from select fleeces. Tweeds remain an important product category too.

 In the mill’s showroom I spotted this signed photo from a satisfied customer, Hollywood movie star Gregory Peck. His message reads: “Keep up the good work. Have enjoyed wearing your fine tweeds.”

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