Prince Charles to visit Ayrshire textile festival

Prince Charles is set to attend the event at Dumfries House, meeting various figures in the British textile industry. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Dumfries House, a stately home in Ayrshire, is hosting the Stitch in Time event featuring demonstrations, workshops and exhibitions.

Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, established a steering group two years ago to look at ways to encourage designers to use British textile manufacturers and secure jobs in the industry.

The idea of the festival was born and traditional kiltmakers and tweedmakers are among those invited to today’s event.

Various workshops and talks will be undertaken by Glasgow Clyde & Ayrshire College lecturers and tutors, with the aim being to raise awareness and encourage textile skills in young Scots.

Speakers include Patrick Grant from BBC Two’s The Great British Sewing Bee, designer Christopher Kane and Caroline Rush, chief executive of The British Fashion Council.

There will also be a fashion show “dog walk”, with dogs wearing Scottish-manufactured and designed coats.

Today marks a third day of engagements for Charles and Camilla in Scotland. They took part in a dog show at Dumfries House yesterday, with the Duchess’ Jack Russell Beth taking top prize in the agility round.