Scotland's oldest weaver can't retire until he finds an apprentice

Rob, 84, says he cannot retire until he finds a successor but adds that there are very few new apprentices out there.

At almost 85, weaver Rob Beaton insists he cannot retire until he finds an apprentice to take over his unique job.

The much-loved mainstay of one of Selkirk’s last bespoke weavers Andrew Elliot Ltd, Rob has spent five years searching for the right person to take over his job at the mill which counts Prince Charles, Dr Who and Dolly Parton among their eclectic mix of grateful customers.

Great-grandfather Rob has been a weaver there both man and boy.

As the oldest working weaver in the country, Rob has seen the industry change until there are very few new apprentices anywhere in the world with the experience and passion to take his place, never mind here in Scotland.

Rob is a skilled engineer and manages to keep obsolete equipment working.

He said: “There used to be thousands of weavers across the Borders. Those days are long gone despite a resurgence in interest in the unique tweeds and tartans we produce.

“It’s heartening that there is growing interest in the wonderful materials we produce, but it is hard to see it becoming the burgeoning industry it once was, so there are fewer mills left than ever before.

“Just the other day another family firm just down the road from us closed its doors after generations in the business.

“I’m very lucky to still be fit and able to do the job I love, but I would be a lot happier knowing we have found someone to take over from me so I can pass down the skills and knowledge I have before it is lost forever.

“It’s quite a physical job, so the ideal person would be someone who is fascinated by engineering as well as having an interest in keeping our incredible heritage alive.”

Rob knows every inch of the looms he looks after, some of which are a hundred years old.

His boss Robin Elliot, whose father Andrew started the beloved local firm almost 70 years ago, said: “We don’t know what we would do if Rob was to finally hang his hat up because he not only works the looms, he also maintains them. Rob knows every single square inch of the machinery we used, and he is desperate to pass on that knowledge.

“But despite looking for an apprentice for years now, we have been unable to find that special person. A lot of the machinery we use is obsolete now, but because Rob is an incredibly skilled engineer, he has been able to use those skills to make bespoke parts to keep us operational.

“I believe there has to be someone out there who would have the enthusiasm and interest in taking on the job. We will keep looking.”

Producing traditional tweeds and tartans for Royalty and rock stars, from nervous grooms to country estates and stately homes, Andrew Elliot’s reputation for quality and perfection is richly deserved.

They provide everything from traditional tartans dating back centuries, to brightly coloured new tartans for kilt makers like Slanj whose shocking pink creation was worn by Still Game actor Sanjeev Kohli when he opened Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations in 2017.

Robin said: “My enduring love of the industry came from my father’s knee. I watched him as a child and this place was such a part of him, he was still working and participating in the business right up until he died. Dad ignited that same passion in me. It wasn’t a great leap following in his footsteps.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any children. But I sincerely hope that Andrew Elliot will continue to be a thriving business here in Selkirk long after I have gone.”

With a staff of just four, the business is always busy taking bespoke orders from all over the world, providing unique tartans for companies which make wedding suits, and tweeds which end up as costumes on big budget shows and blockbuster movies such as Outlander, Braveheart, Harry Potter, or even James Bond.

Robin with some cloth, made for Dolly Parton.

Robin said: “Sometimes celebrities will contact us personally to ask if we can fulfil individual orders. On other occasions, costume designers will be in contact to order what they need.

“Sometimes we don’t know which star will be wearing our product until we spot it on screen. It’s always nice seeing what we do reflected up there as it increases customer interest. The upsurge in filming costume dramas such as Outlander brought quite a boost. Matt Smith’s characterisation of Dr Who included a suit made from our tweed, too.”

Usually, celebrities will send their staff to place orders.

But one of the world’s most famous country singers was so particular about what she wanted, she called the mill herself.

Robin said: “My father took the call and had no idea he was speaking to one of the best known singers in the world when he took her special order for tweed fabric for the furnishings in her Malibu beach house property.

“She wanted tweed in muted colours of greys and sand. Of course, the staff asked who they were making the tweed for.

“Dad told them she was a very lovely lady called Dolly Parton, but said he didn’t think they would know who she was!

“The staff had to break it to dad that Dolly Parton was only one of the best known and richest singers in the world. He still hadn’t heard of her.”

Some customers are even better known than Dolly.

Before he became King, Prince Charles was presented with a stunning tartan not seen for hundreds of years until Robin resurrected it.

Robin, who was a trustee of the Scottish Tartan Authority for many years, said: “We met Charles at Dumfries House and it was very clear he is fascinated by the history of tartan.

“The Prince Charles Edward Stewart tartan had not been seen for hundreds of years, so I resurrected it, and we presented the tartan to him. Charles was absolutely delighted to see it and he’s been pictured several times proudly wearing it.

“One of its first outings was when he accompanied the Queen to the Braemar Highland Games. There was a lovely photograph of him wearing the kilt and you can see him proudly showing the tartan to the Queen.

“We’ve designed tartans for hard rockers, including Marillion singer Fish whose real name is Derek Wlliam Dick. We made the Dick tartan for him, and I know he wears it often.”

Country estates like Glamis Castle, the birthplace of the late Queen mother, regularly order their own tweeds for staff.

Robin said: “Unlike some of the bigger mills which only produce bulk orders, we are able to tackle smaller bespoke orders.

“The Earl of Strathmore orders the Glamis tweed every 10 years or so for his staff. We supply several other estates which also have their own. It’s wonderful knowing we continue to preserve our heritage doing what we do.

“We still produce our tweeds and tartans the traditional way. The world may have changed dramatically over the centuries, but a weaver from back then would find themselves very much at home in our little mill. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”