Lewis Anderson Tartan Collection

Bound volumes of tartan fabric samples; loose fabric swatches.

Lewis Anderson was born in Galashiels, the son of Peter Anderson, founder of Peter Anderson Ltd. In 1931, he and his brother Thomas were assumed into the firm as partners. Lewis was a former student of the Scottish Woollen Technical College. Peter Anderson died in 1945 aged 86 and Lewis and Thomas then took over the business. Thomas died in 1960, and in 1962 Lewis sold control of the company to John Morris Buchan, of Lochcarron.

Lewis Anderson made a collection of tartans over a period of more than 50 years, resulting in probably the largest personal collection in Scotland. He was a recognised authority on tartans in the Scottish Woollen Industry and the firm of Peter Anderson Ltd. was well known for its specialisation in the production of tartan cloths - a tradition carried on by Lochcarron to this day.

Arranged alphabetically by tartan.

Access by appointment at the Scottish Borders Campus, Heriot-Watt University, Netherdale, Galashiels.

The collection became part of Heriot-Watt University Archive, Records Management and Museum Service in 1998 when the Scottish College of Textiles merged with the University.

Item level descriptions are available on the CALM database.

Fabric samples.

Description amended by Helen Taylor, Archivist, Heriot-Watt University Archive, Records Management and Museum Service.

Photocopies and photographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents. Permission to publish material from the Archive must be sought in advance from the University Archivist. Responsibility for obtaining copyright clearance rests with the applicant.

The collection was donated to the Scottish College of Textiles by Lewis Anderson's widow in 1973.

Accruals not expected

Peter Anderson (HWUA PA), Alan Paterson (HWUA AP)

The collection is original.