First, here’s the key dates in the history of Harris Tweed:

1. 1834: Harris Estate sold to the 4th Earl of Dunmore by Macleod.
2. 1844: First recorded order for Murray Tartan Harris Tweed. Paisley sisters of Pabbay/Strond. Lady Dunmore began to ‘market’ Harris Tweed.
3. 1906: Mr Henry Lyons imprisoned for two months for fraud. The crime: ‘Passing off’ of the genuine article by unscrupulous manufacturers – ‘Peasants of OH (Outer Hebrides)’  32/6 jacket.
4. 1909: Harris Tweed Association formed and application made for Orb certification mark.
5. 1910: Trade Mark granted and Orb used in 1911. Kenneth Mackenzie Mill (still open today) opened in Lewis Street.
6. 1934: Revised definition of Harris Tweed, confining all production to the islands of the Outer Hebrides.
7. 1964: Lord Hunter ruled that the terms of the 1934 definition must be observed.
8. 1993: Passing of the Harris Tweed Act of Parliament and Harris Tweed Authority created.

Source: Harris Tweed Authority

Maccessori History

Now, for a little bit of Maccessori History:

1. 2009: Blair’s (our founder) Mum bought a few metres of Harris Tweed to make cushions, with some left over she made a Harris Tweed iPhone sleeve for my Dad’s phone. The very first Maccessori.
2. 2011: Established as a company in January 2011 and launched a range of bags and small accessories to accompany our iPhone Sleeves.
3. 2013: Identified by Business Gateway as a high growth company and put on the business gateway growth pipeline. We were taken on trade missions to China, New York and the UAE to present our products to some of the biggest buyers in the world.
4. 2014: We won the license to produce Tweed and Tartan bags and accessories for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
5. 2017: Introduced our Private Label capability allowing us to work with some of the biggest companies in Scotland and around the world. Using our designs and experience to launch products for companies including Outlander, Hendricks, Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Moss Bros and many more.
6. 2019: We launched our Tartans by Maccessori collection. We also started to explore our B2C journey.
7. 2022: We are now selling our Harris Tweed and tartan products around the UK and in over 10 different countries worldwide including USA, Australia, Canada, China, Germany, France.