Monday June 8th 2026
Scottish Green MSP for Edinburgh Central Lorna Slater
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scottish Green MSP for Edinburgh Central Lorna Slater has today urged the Scottish Government to commit to developing a national Wool Strategy, highlighting a ‘mounting challenges’ in the sector.
The former Lothian MSP made the call in a letter to First Minister John Swinney, urging him to consider the strategy when the government publishes the Programme for Government this September.
Highlighting that wool is ‘integral to Scotland’s economy, landscape and cultural heritage’, the call is already supported by more than 70 signatories including British Wool, Johnstons of Elgin and farms and small businesses from across Scotland.
Wool production and use touches on many different sectors including agriculture, construction, skills, culture and heritage, small business, and tourism, making it an important sustainable fibre and part of a circular economy.
The Scottish Greens explained that wool producers in Scotland are facing mounting challenges, such as a lack of students and apprentices learning to weave and make tartan, farmers not being supported to innovate with wool production and products and small wool design businesses not being able to access the support they need to grow.
Many of the current workers in the wool sector are aging, and within a few years Scotland could lose key skills and businesses, and with them an important part of our cultural heritage (as recognised by the Heritage Craft Association with Kiltmaking on the red list of endangered crafts).
Recently winning her first consistency when the Scottish Greens won Edinburgh Central in May’s election, marking a historic moment for the party and Scottish politics, this is Slater’s first call since becoming a constituency MSP within the Canadian born politician looking to protect a traditional Scottish textile trade.
Lorna Slater explained: “Wool includes everything from kilts, tweed and cloth to our native breed Shetland wool for making wool garments from Scottish designers, and iconic heritage crafts like Shetland lace and Fair Isle jumpers.
“It can be used as insulation in buildings, in innovative and sustainable natural products like mattresses, flame resistant carpets and durable seat covers for public transport.
“It is a wonderful fibre, but the sector is going through tough times. Producers are feeling the loss of scouring plants and other infrastructure, an aging workforce and a lack of opportunities for younger workers and the struggles of farmers, and small rural businesses to survive.
“I’m asking the Scottish Government to bring together the different parts of Government that look after wool and get them to work together on a targeted Wool Strategy for Scotland.”
With imported kilts made in China competing with Scottish-made kilts on Scotland’s high streets, the Greens are hoping John Swinney considers the strategy in September’s decision.
Tweet Share on Facebook
