Goats
AND THE WORLD'S FINEST CASHMERE
Some people are surprised to learn that the Scottish cashmere story starts with goats. Not Scottish goats, but a hardy, mountain-dwelling breed that has adapted to the harsh environments and extreme temperatures of the Gobi Desert.
To survive, the goats develop wonderfully thick coats made up of a coarse outer guard hair and a fine, soft undercoat . We use only the finest fibre – the white, downy undercoat that runs from the throat to belly.
This yields a tiny amount: it takes fibre from one goat to knit a scarf, three to make a sweater.
Traditionally, farmers would collect cashmere fibre by ceremonially combing their goats in the spring. Combing is still widely used today, alongside some farmers who prefer shearing.
Nothing compares to Scottish cashmere. The way it looks, how it feels, the way it drapes.
Created to Last
Scottish-spun cashmere is world-renowned. The ‘Scottish handle’ is more robust off the shelf, but soon blossoms.
Cashmere knitwear is a wardrobe staple, as comfortable to wear on a summer afternoon as it is on a frosty winter morning. Scottish cashmere is appreciated by young and old – often passing from one generation to the next.
However, the longevity of cashmere isn’t a given. The processes involved in creating cashmere yarn play a big part. We’ve refined our traditional techniques over two centuries to create a cashmere yarn that pills less than any other.
Cashmere goats are usually tended by nomadic cashmere farmers; a typical farmer will often have a flock of 2-300.
It’s easy to see why animal welfare, sustainability and traceability are the three pillars of the cashmere industry’s ethical sourcing initiatives.
Working in partnership with our approved de-hairers, we encourage sustainable herding and
grazing practices, promote high standards of animal welfare, and work to protect this traditional way of life within nomadic communities.