Although things have been a little quiet on the posting front, there has been plenty happening behind the scenes as preparations continue for my return to St Kilda in 2027.

At present, I find myself in something of a holding pattern, waiting for several important pieces of the project to fall into place.

When I met with Susan Bain of the National Trust for Scotland in July, she indicated that Cecilia Charlton and I would most likely be on St Kilda for four weeks between mid-May and mid-June next year. We are still awaiting confirmation of the exact dates, which will allow us to book our passage with St Kilda Sea Tours, arrange flights from Australia and coordinate the transport of ourselves and our equipment to Leverburgh.

With boat bookings opening shortly, I am naturally becoming rather anxious to get everything organised!

The Wool Is Finally Being Processed

One particularly exciting development is that the Border Mill in Duns has now begun processing the Soay and Boreray fleeces I collected in Scotland during July.

Once spun, the yarn will be sent to me here in Australia, and I must admit I am champing at the bit to begin weaving with it.

Until now, all my practice has been undertaken using Corriedale wool. Working with Soay and Boreray yarn will be an entirely new experience, and I am particularly keen to discover how it behaves on the loom and whether the resulting cloth resembles the surviving examples of St Kilda tweed I examined in Scottish museums.

Keeping the Shuttle Moving

In the meantime, I have continued weaving regularly, completing a scarf in 8-ply wool using the straight twill structure of St Kilda tweed, along with three throws in 4-ply wool using a herringbone split twill pattern associated with Harris Tweed.

Every hour at the loom helps refine my technique and build the confidence I will need when weaving on St Kilda.

An Exciting New Development

Just two days ago, I was interviewed by Alison Dwyer, who is preparing an article about my project for the Australian weaving magazine Yarn.

Alison is also keen to tell Cecilia's story and plans to interview her about the considerable work involved in preparing and hand-spinning the Soay and Boreray wool for our second length of tweed.

It is wonderful to see the project attracting interest within the wider weaving community.

The Historical Research Continues

Meanwhile, I am still awaiting replies to several intriguing enquiries, including correspondence with the Royal Archives concerning St Kilda tweed offered to King George V in 1935, the National Trust for Scotland regarding the mysterious Bute Box, and an American archive holding papers belonging to Compton Mackenzie.

Each enquiry has the potential to reveal another little piece of St Kilda's remarkable textile history.

Looking Ahead

So, while there is still a little waiting to be done, the project continues to move steadily forward.

The loom is ready, the wool is being processed, the research continues, and the prospect of weaving St Kilda tweed on the island for the first time since its evacuation in 1930 is drawing ever closer.

What began as a rather improbable idea is now becoming a very real prospect.

Thank you to everyone who continues to follow and encourage this journey. I hope to have some exciting news to share before too much longer!