David Tolmie & Co.

• Reference:GB 3002 GD014/5/4/2
• Dates of Creation:[1950s-1960s]
• Physical Description:
  1 item

• Scope and Content

  David Tolmie originally started as an independent producer as early as 1871, selling tweed on from the island as a commission agent. His son, the second David Tolmie, expanded the business c.1928. The second David was the chairman of the Lewis Harris Tweed Association, which was instrumental in opposing the amendment of the definition in 1934 (permitting Harris Tweed to be made from millspun yarn). A third David Tolmie - a nephew of the second - set up the Clansman Tweed Co. Ltd. in Kenneth Street, Stornoway, c.1950. It is not clear what the relationship between Clansman Tweed Co. Ltd. and David Tolmie & Co. was. David Tolmie & Co. was definitely still trading in 1960, at 7 Francis Street. The name 'Clansman' was sold to Stephen Burns Ltd. c.1966 - this may be the point at which the Tolmie family left the industry. By 1974 the name 'David Tolmie' was being sold as part of the assets of James Macdonald & Co. (a mill whose trading interests were bought by Kenneth Mackenzie Ltd. when it closed).