It seemed only fitting to return to Cloverleaf Corriedale Stud and stand beside one of Ronelle's magnificent rams, a multiple Best of Breed Grand Champion, while wearing a tweed suit made from cloth woven from the very wool produced on this farm.

Over the past two years I have woven many scarves, throws and lengths of tweed as I learned and refined the skills necessary for my St Kilda Tweed Project. The fabric used for this suit was woven by my own hand from beautifully soft Australian Corriedale wool sourced from Cloverleaf Corriedale Stud, and then expertly tailored into a jacket and waistcoat.

Although I have often referred to these pieces as St Kilda tweed, I regard them as being woven in the style of St Kilda tweed, rather than true St Kilda tweed itself.

For me, authentic St Kilda tweed can only be produced in the manner of the islanders of old — woven on St Kilda from the wool of the two ancient sheep breeds that sustained the community for centuries: the Soay and the Boreray.

That is the ultimate aim of my project. In 2027, I hope to take the skills I have acquired and weave once again on St Kilda itself, using yarn spun from genuine Soay and Boreray fleece, reviving a craft that has been absent from the islands for almost a century.

Until then, this suit stands as a reminder of the journey so far, and of the many generous people and remarkable sheep that have helped make it possible.