National Association of Scottish Woollen Manufacturers

Papers of James Barr, Secretary of the National Association of Scottish Woollen Manufacturers

The National Association of Scottish Woollen Manufacturers was based at 27 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. At its 9th Annual Meeting, held on 10 March 1937, it discussed proposals for a publicity campaign for Scottish Tweeds. Two schemes had been proposed - one by 'Men's Wear' magazine and the other by the National Trade Press Ltd. The Association appointed a Sub-Committee to investigate the subject of continuous publicity for Scottish Tweeds and submit findings.

From discussions between James Barr, Secretary of the Association and The National Trade Press, Colman, Prentis and Varley were identified as being as a company with previous experience in this field.

From 1943 -1945 the Association's Post War Planning Committee, chaired by R.R. Scott Hay of Messers Reid & Taylor Ltd, Langholm, undertook further research into the marketing and advertising of the Scottish Woollen Council. It concluded that a strategic marketing policy was of primary importance, and believed that the post-war prosperity of the Scottish Woollen trade depended upon the collective action on the lines they recommended, namely the championing of the cause of a Scottish Woollen Trade Mark. They believed that the adoption of a identifiable mark was the only way of stopping manufacturers losing out to 'spurious' Scottish woollen products, passed off openly or by implication as genuine Scottish clothes. The Committee reviewed such issues as Harris Tweed publicity, difficulties and defects of the original scheme. It highlighted the need for identification, finance, and set down a forward policy.

By appointment at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels. Closure periods may apply to unpublished records less than 30 years old and other records containing personal information. Access to records in a fragile condition may be restricted.

Summary list available in Searchroom.

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The bundle was listed in the BAC(S) list of the Archive, 1988, alongside records of Blenkhorn Richardson & Son, but they appear to be separate series of records. Some records are stamped 'Scottish College of Textiles, Martindale Library', and thus appear to have come to the Archive via the Library.

Not expected.

Blenkhorn Richardson & Co. Ltd. (GB 582 HWUA BR) held at the Scottish Borders Campus.