The People's Tartan Experience

Radical Weavers is more than just a shop on the high street.

Yes, okay — we do have a shop. But it’s full of handmade things of the highest standard. Our fabric is woven on-site by our team of local weavers and sewn up on-site by our in-house seamstress (who is technically our designer… but also happens to be very good with a sewing machine).

Our tartans are designed by our team, and every piece has a label with the name of its maker. We think it’s important that the people behind the work get the credit they deserve.

Alongside that, we sell a range of high-quality gifts made in the UK that complement our exhibitions and events.

What’s that? Exhibitions?

Ah yes — we run exhibitions too.

We are currently building our first exhibition: Tartan Radicals.

This tells the story of the original Radical Weavers of 1820 — people who fought for workers’ rights, universal (male) suffrage, and better living conditions.

Their story is an intricately woven web (excuse the pun — couldn’t resist) of spies, lies, and political manoeuvring. The consequences of those events eventually helped lead to trade unions, democratic reform, and greater rights for ordinary people.

And tartan.

“How?” I hear you ask.

Well… you’ll have to come to the exhibition to find out. 😉

Our second exhibition is Tartan Army Legends, celebrating Scotland’s world-renowned football supporters — the Tartan Army.

Apparently the Scotland men’s team have qualified for some football thing this year… the World Cup. And I’m told it’s quite a big deal, seeing as it hasn’t happened for 28 years.

All joking aside, this is a hugely exciting moment to be Scottish. After all — no Scotland, no party.

The last time Scotland qualified for the World Cup was before I was born, so I’ve loved hearing stories from people who were there — tales of travelling the world, meeting other supporters, and the incredible reputation Scottish fans have internationally.

This exhibition will celebrate everything that makes the Tartan Army special: the fashion, the confessions, the karaoke, and the memories.

It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re very excited.

So — two exhibitions and a gift shop. That’s pretty good, right?

Wrong. There’s more.

We also run weaving workshops.

Our most popular is Weave a Tartan Scarf in a Day. You come along, choose your colours, set up your loom, and weave your very own scarf from scratch. At the end of the day you go home with a full-length, completely unique, handwoven scarf that you made yourself.

“But Sam,” I hear you say, “I don’t have the attention span to weave all day.”

Fear not.

You can try our 60-minute Weaving Taster Session. The looms are already set up — you pop in, get weaving, and we cut off your piece at the end so you can take it home. Perfect for the fridge door, or to show off to your friends.

And if you want something even more personal, we also offer Design & Weave Your Own Tartan.

Not everyone has a Scottish surname — and therefore not everyone has a clan tartan. Even those who do sometimes end up with… well… let’s politely say a less attractive tartan. (Looking at you, McLeods.)

So instead, why not design your own?

We guide you through the design process and help you build a tartan based on things that matter to you — favourite places, flowers, sports teams, colours, memories. After a short break for lunch, you’ll set up your loom and weave your design into a tartan swatch.

A tartan that represents you, made by you.

And while workshops might sound a little intimidating, I promise they aren’t. You’re in very good hands with our tutors — Peter, Sophie, and Eilidh. There’s good music playing, fresh coffee available, and a lot of encouragement along the way.

Beginner friendly. Loads of fun. Promise.

So — is that everything?

A shop, a weaving studio, exhibitions, and workshops?

Arguably that would be more than enough. But still… no. That’s not all.

We also run a range of community projects that support people locally through creativity and craft. You can learn more about those here.

Because the bigger vision behind all of this is something we call The People’s Tartan Experience.

We want Radical Weavers to become a centre for tartan in Scotland — a place where anyone can come and weave this iconic fabric, learn about its history, and connect with what it means today.

And we have big plans.

Our tartan experience will focus on what tartan means to ordinary people — not just historically, but right now. From football supporters in kilts to military dress uniforms. From corporate tartans to handfasting ceremonies.

From Fallin to Florida, tartan belongs to everyone.

And we want to build something that celebrates exactly that.

A tartan experience for the people, by the people.