From the humble to the haughty - a history of the Highlands in clothes
Garments held by 14 museums across the North have been brought together in a new virtual exhibition - Highland Threads - which weaves together elements of Highland history, from poverty, endurance and emigration to aspiration and the Empire.
The virtual exhibition showcases a treasured costume from each museum's collection alongside stories of the people who made the cloth, who wore the clothes and where they were produced.
Launching on April 1, the exhibition - which has been devised as the pandemic keeps small museums without vital income - can be found at www.highlandthreads.co.uk.
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1. The Drummond Dress - Highland Folk Museum
This tartan silk and satin dress was made in the 1840s to mark the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Drummond Castle, Perthshire. It was worn to a lavish celebratory ball by Lady Willoughby d'Eresby alongwith a Highland bonnet of blue velvet trimmed with eagle feathers. Photo: Jim Dunn
2. Fisherman’s gansey - Wick Heritage Society
This warm and largely waterproof style of jumper was popular among fishermen. Created with extraordinary skill, families and communities developed their own patterns and it is said that if a fisherman was washed overboard, he could be identified by the pattern of his gansey. Photo: Jim Dunn
3. Balmoral cap - Strathnaver Museum
Worn by William MacDonald of Gruids, a piper with the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, during World War One. Severely wounded on the Western Front, he was discharged in April 1917 as '100% disabled' but fought back to health and joined the Lovat Scouts as a highly regarded Pipe Sergeant. Photo: Jim Dunn
4. George Bain Jumper - Groam House Museum
Artist and educator George Bain inspired countless artists and craftspeople with his manuals on Celtic art . He was captivated by intricate Pictish stones, early medieval illuminated manuscripts and ornate metalwork from Britain and Ireland. Photo: JIM DUNN