Prince Charles and Camilla to visit borders

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will visit two textile mills as part of a trip to the Scottish Borders today.

Charles and Camilla will visit the Borders today. Picture: Getty

Charles and Camilla will tour Robert Noble’s March Street Mill in Peebles and Johnston’s of Elgin’s Eastfield Mill in Hawick during their away day.

The Prince, who holds the title of Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, is conducting the visits in his role as patron of the Campaign for Wool.

While in Peebles, the royal couple will meet staff and learn about the firm’s sourcing and export business.

Robert Noble was originally established in Galashiels under the name of David Ballantyne in 1666.

In 1884, the expanding Ballantyne businesses moved to Peebles and built March Street Mills, along with housing for workers.

The weaving business was named Robert Noble in 1981 and became part of the Moorbrook portfolio in 2001.

Charity

Today, the mill combines centuries-old techniques with modern technology and it works with several internationally renowned fashion houses.

Johnston’s of Elgin has traded since it was founded more than 200 years ago and now operates from two sites, the original mill in Elgin established in 1797 and Eastfield Mill in Hawick, where garment making and knitting are the main activities.

The Hawick mill was formerly a tweed mill and was purchased by Johnstons of Elgin 30 years ago.

Also today, the royals will visit the School of Textile and Design at Heriot Watt University’s Galashiels base and Charles will host an Edinburgh reception for supporters of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.