Developments steering the contemporary journey of Harris Tweed over the last three decades are documented in an updated version of an authoritative book about the famous textile.

The Islanders and The Orb – The History of the Harris Tweed Industry, originally written by Janet Hunter and published by Acair in 2001, provides the most comprehensive and wide-ranging account ever written of the Harris Tweed industry.

The book makes an important contribution to the social and economic history of the islands and shows the struggle which the people of the Outer Hebrides had to retain the commercial value of the Harris Tweed name.

Meticulously researched, intricate and changing circumstances in the history of the industry are made immensely readable.

Bitter and divisive controversies are described with supporting evidence and analysis but leaving readers to draw their own conclusions.

Now updated by Dr Calum MacLeod to include the years between 1995 and 2023, the book will be of great interest locally, nationally, and internationally as Harris Tweed continues to assert its unique status as a globally iconic textile brand.

A launch event at the Harris Tweed Authority offices in Stornoway on 1 November will feature a panel of well-known Harris Tweed figures discussing the book, the history and the culture of the clò mòr.

Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “Harris Tweed is a huge part of our culture and heritage here in the Western Isles and it’s so important to record its history. To be able to update this excellent book, adding almost 30 years of history to it, enables generations to come to have a knowledge of this great history. We are very grateful to the Harris Tweed Authority for their help, support and funding, without which this update wouldn’t be possible.”

Calum MacLeod said: “It’s been a privilege to update the late Janet Hunter’s comprehensive history of the Harris Tweed industry.  I’m delighted that her richly detailed and authoritative account will reach a new audience through this second edition of The Islanders and the Orb.  

“The new chapters in the book, spanning the years between 1995 and 2023, cover an intensely dynamic and often turbulent period in the industry’s recent history.  In extending that history to almost the present day, I hope they further add to our collective understanding and appreciation of the importance of Harris Tweed, both to the people of the Outer Hebrides and as a globally unique and iconic textile brand, so brilliantly evoked in Janet Hunter’s original edition of the book.”

Lorna Macaulay, CEO Harris Tweed Authority, said: “It has been fascinating to see Dr Calum MacLeod’s exceptional work come together in chronicling the most recent 28 years of the industry’s evolution, 16 of which I have been around to witness myself.

In particular, it has been interesting to see recurring themes from the past and the remarkable evolution of our craft sector into the modern global brand it is today. The HTA are extremely grateful to Acair for recognising the need and encouraging us to update the book, and to Dr Calum MacLeod, who has combined academic rigour with his personal interest and passion for the Harris Tweed industry to excellent effect. I am very confident the late Janet Hunter, who, prior to her death, was aware and entirely supportive of this project would wholeheartedly approve.”