Award Winning (Scottish) Product Keeps the Cold at Bay

PRESS RELEASE

Perfect for keeping out the cold weather, a fleece-lined and embroidered Harris Tweed scarf has won a prestigious award, in the clothing and textiles category at Scotland’s Trade Fair (Spring), in Glasgow. Designed by Mary Wood of the company Anna Macneil of Inverness, the scarf received the accolade which formed part of the fair’s Best Product Award.

Founded by the mother of present owner Ruth Black, Anna Macneil is now entering its 25th year of business, and continues in the tradition of producing and designing high quality Harris Tweed items.

The Glasgow show also saw the successful launch of a new style of hat from the company - the new design is primarily a man's Harris Tweed hat fully lined with anti-pill polar fleece. Sales were so brisk at the show that even the display ‘sample’ was sold from the stand!

Owner Ruth Black said, “We are over the moon, both with the award and the positive sales and feedback we’ve received launching the new hat.” She continues, “We are a small company focused on quality and tradition, my mother is proud that her legacy continues and has been fully recognised with this award.”

All products are individually designed and therefore unique, and range from purses, bags, belts, scarves to cushions, wall hangings and even Christmas decorations. Furthermore, with over 100 tweeds in stock it is virtually guaranteed that there is a colour-way to suit all tastes - although should any client request tweed not currently held in stock, this is not a problem, it can usually be sourced quickly.

The team are now working hard preparing for their next show in Aviemore, at the end of April.

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Photograph above shows designer Mary Wood wearing the award winning scarf.

Note to editors:
Other photographs to accompany this release can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/ykxkcqz
Captions included with each photograph.

For further information:
Ruth Black.
Anna Macneil.
St Michael's Rectory,
28 Abban Street, Inverness IV3 8HH
Highlands, Scotland
T: 01463 250576

Website: www.annamacneil.co.uk
Email: ruth@annamacneil.co.uk

PR Contact:
Jackie West, Jackie West Marketing.
1 Bignold Place,
Achnasheen IV22 2EG.
Highlands, Scotland.
T: 01445 720212
E: jackie@jackiewest.co.uk


Additional Background:
Anna Macneil supplies shops and larger retail outlets in Scotland, as well as being available for (retail) sale through the website or at craft fairs.

The Team at Anna Macneil:
Barbara Morrison:
lives on the Isle of Lewis and has been designing and making hats for over 20 years - initially as self-preservation to keep out the cold Hebridean winds!

Ruth Black:
lives in Inverness. She specialises in Celtic and Pictish inspired designs. She also does ecclesiastical embroidery.

Mary Wood:
lives in Inverness and works part-time with the business. She is the model in most of the photographs on the website, and has recently completed the City and Guilds Certificate in embroidery and design.

About Harris Tweed:
The law decrees that genuine Harris Tweed must be made from pure virgin wool which has been dyed and spun on the islands and hand woven at the home of the weaver in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The cloth is then returned to the mill for finishing. Only then can it be given the famous Orb stamp which authenticates it, metre by metre. Each piece of tweed can be traced back to the individual home weaver. Harris Tweed is about quality and style as well as history and heritage. It is the fabric of choice for many of the world’s leading designers as well as their most discerning clients.
Information courtesy of:
www.harristweedhebrides.com/about-harris-tweed

Highland Arts, Crafts and Gifts Newsletter - January issue out now

The January issue of the Highland Arts, Crafts and Gifts newsletter is now available.

To receive a copy of this newsletter and receive subsequent issues please click here, and our mailing system will email a copy to you immediately, and you will be automatically added to the mailing list to receive future issues.

To find out more about showcasing your business within this newsletter please email me.

Enjoy!

Jackie

Based in Scotland? Producing Scottish arts, crafts or giftware?

PRESS RELEASE

If you are based in Scotland, working in the arts, crafts and giftware sector, and you can say that you design and manufacture at least 90% of your goods in Scotland, then the Aviemore Trade Show 2010 is definitely for you.

This is the only show where buyers do not have to ask you if you manufacture your goods in Scotland, unlike other shows where you find yourself rubbing shoulders with overseas produced 'Scottish' products.

During the years Aviemore has been running it has welcomed buyers from all over Scotland, England, USA, Belgium, Germany and Holland. The 2010 show, even at this early stage, is promising to see an increase of overseas buyers. Aviemore buyers are from a diverse mix of outlets, from small craft/gift shops to larger outlets, such as major department stores, national tourist organisations, and buying associations.

The show heavily promotes 'brand' Scotland - the buyers know that they will see beautifully presented products which demonstrate the innovation, rich culture and heritage that Scottish producers possess, ranging from glass, textiles, jewellery to artwork and even soap - and all things in between, not just the perceived tartan, thistle and shortbread!

In addition, something which has become a tradition, the show once more has a number of new businesses launching (there were 20 new businesses at the 2009 event!) - so the buyers know they will also see products at Aviemore which they won't have seen at any other show.

This week, show organiser Gail Steele, after discussions with Business Gateway http://www.bgateway.com, can confirm good news for exhibitors, she says "Business Gateway have indicated that in some Scottish regions there is help to be had with funding exhibition expenses, although it depends upon your circumstances, and the BG office concerned. It's well worth contacting your local branch to have a discussion about funding towards exhibiting at Aviemore. The ethos of Business Gateway is to provide practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland"

Gail continues, "Details regarding Business Gateway will be up on the Exhibitor page of the Aviemore website in the coming weeks, at http://www.aviemoretradeshow.co.uk/exhib.html."

In addition, Gail has confirmed that the Minister of Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, MSP, will be attending the second day of the show, showing his support to exhibitors, the event itself, as well as giving out the show awards.

Gail concludes, "Since Fergus Ewing MSP opened the 2009 show, and was impressed by the talent and array of fantastic products, he has assisted us in getting in front of Jim Mather (and Alex Salmond) to highlight that our show compliments everything which Homecoming Scotland and Events Scotland together have achieved. We are hoping that the Scottish Government will look to our sector, and render help with procuring overseas buyers and most of all assist producers in this sector to grow their businesses, ensuring and underlining the strength of 'brand' Scotland."

The Aviemore Trade Show runs from the 25th to the 27th April 2010, in the Osprey Arena, Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, Aviemore - and is a trade only event. Full details can be found on the show website at www.aviemoretradeshow.co.uk

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For more information:

Organiser: Gail Steele
Email: gail@aviemoretradeshow.co.uk
Telephone: 01667 460079

Press and Publicity: Jackie West
Jackie West Marketing
Email: jackie@jackiewest.co.uk
Telephone: 01445 720212

Background:
Aviemore Trade Show
http://www.aviemoretradeshow.co.uk

The Aviemore Trade Show is a three-day trade only event, for buyers to meet Scottish makers in the art, craft and gift sectors. It is the only show which guarantees the buyer that everything they see is made in Scotland. Unlike other trade shows which include goods produced overseas - this is why there is strong support from exhibitors.