Uni cashes in on cashmere

LEADING cashmere firm Johnstons of Elgin has joined forces with Heriot-Watt University to take the talents of its textiles students to one of the world's fastest growing markets for cashmere.

Students from the university's School of Textiles and Design have worked Beijing's Tsinghua University in a collaborative design project, sharing their extensive experience of working with the fabric with their Chinese peers.

Scotland's growing cashmere industry is worth an estimated 200 million a year to the Scottish economy, while China is fast emerging as a key market and producer of cashmere.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "This project has showcased Scotland's talent, experience and expertise to one of the world's fastest growing economies."