Tuesday 26 April 2022

REMEMBERING the closure of PJ Haggarts of Aberfeldy / IMAGES of a ( Half) Norfolk and a Hacking jackets, by PJ Haggarts of Aberfeldy.

"Since 1801 PJ Haggarts of Aberfeldy have been weaving some of the finest tweeds in Scotland supplying many Highland estates including the Royal family. We have a classic range of heavy weight keepers tweeds that can be made into some timeless classic country clothing perfect for that day in the field or on the hill. "



 

Old shop lost in changing times

 

When the doors shut on P&J Haggarts tweed shop in Aberfeldy last week, Scotland lost a bit of history.

 

ByDailyrecord.co.uk

00:00, 21 SEP 2012 UPDATED16:34, 11 NOV 2013

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/old-shop-lost-changing-times-2727874

 

When the doors shut on P&J Haggarts tweed shop in Aberfeldy last week, Scotland lost a bit of history.

 

The listed building on Dunkeld Street has been an outlet for tweed country clothing since 1882 and according to current Haggart’s owner, Robert Simpson, was one of only three old-fashioned shops of its kind left in Scotland.

 

The Haggarts family firm started in 1801, founded by James Haggart. It was at first based at the village of Acharn on the south side of LochTay.

 

James Haggart collected wool from the many farmers around Loch Tay, spinning it into yarn and then weaving it on handlooms into a material which would make warm clothing.

 

James handed the firm onto his sons Peter and James. Their initials make up the P&J of the name that came to represent rugged clothing for outdoor people.

 

Peter and James Haggart decided bigger premises were needed and relocated to Keltneyburn. Then in 1882 they set up shop in Aberfeldy in a fine new red sandstone building designed by popular Victorian architect, James MacLaren.

 

The retailing shop and tailoring business allowed the firm to offer a service that went from purchasing raw wool to the selling of completed tweed suits.

 

James Dewar Haggart took over and expanded the business far beyond the confines of Aberfeldy. In 1934 he installed power driven machinery in the mill and installed a water turbine to power the machinery and to light the shop.

 

 

James Haggart served in both county and town councils and was Provost of Aberfeldy for more than 36 years. He displayed tremendous energy in marketing his goods and was rewarded with Royal patronage, including the Queen Mother.

 

The shop proudly displayed Royal Warrants dating from 1899 to 1960 on the front of the building. Many estate owners commissioned designs for their own private tweeds, and the firm to this day keeps around 150 individual designs of tweeds used to dress everyone from Russian tycoons to gamekeepers.

 

Patricia McArthur started work in the shop in 1951. She told The PA: “Back then I was paid19/4, £97p a week.

 

“There were six tailors sitting at a big table, a cutter, a fitter and many apprentices. My first job was to sew the buttonholes.”

 

John Simpson came into the firm after James Dewar Haggart died and was followed in 1998 by his son Robert.

 

“We were doing well with around 50 per cent of orders going to the USA,” said Robert.

 

“But that vanished with the shock of 9/11.”


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1 comment:

Menno Aardewijn said...

It’ a pity that these shops cann’t survive.