The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere team will showcase a pioneering project at the popular Rogal Highland Show. 

The team has been invited to join British Wool at this year's show to highlight its work, which aims to transform the way people use fleece from Scottish Blackface sheep.

The value of Blackface fleece used to reflect the versatility in how it was utilised in clothing, blankets, and more, but has dropped drastically in recent years through competition with manmade fibres and manufacturing abroad. 

Blackface wool is now typically only sold for use in the carpet and mattress trades, but the Biosphere’s Business Development team believed there could be an opportunity to revive the market for knitted items of outwear.

The wool project launched in autumn 2021 and from an initial purchase of 1,000kg of fine grade Blackface wool, the project has now designed and produced a gilet, cardigan, jumper and jacket, each made from pure Blackface wool sourced from farms in the Biosphere region. 

With these four prototype garments in hand the Biosphere team will be heading to the Royal Highland Show, which takes place between June 22 and 25.  

The display will be part of British Wool’s dedicated stand in the retail area, and one of the garments will hit the runway in the Flock to Fashion Show at 2pm each day.

Project lead Marie McNulty said: “It’s an incredible privilege to be attending Scotland’s showcase event for farming and rural life, and especially to be there alongside British Wool. 

"This is a singular opportunity to promote Galloway and Southern Ayrshire’s historic wool industry, our hill farming traditions, and the role that wool can play in building a sustainable local economy.  

"We want our products to be cosy, comfortable, and to look good of course, and we’re so excited to give the public a first look – and the opportunity to tell us what they think.“

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire’s UNESCO Biosphere designation covers more than 5,200km² of southwest Scotland’s most outstanding natural environments and cultural heritage.

Find out more at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk or for more information about the Blackface wool project, contact info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.