Linen is perhaps the worlds oldest textile and is derived from varieties of the Flax plant.
Here we take you on a sensory journey, describing the growing cycle, relaying the traditional stages of production and illustrating how this textile is manufactured today using sight, sound, smell and touch. With image, song, scent bottle and touch tray, we pick up the threads of cultural union that tie Scotland into Europe from plant to product.
Image courtesy of Maureen Hammond
Retting Flax
Raw flax immersed in water for retting, glass bottle and stopper
Rossio Towel
Rossio beach towel by Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen inspired by Rossio Square in Lisbon