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The Weavers Cottage is situated in the village of Kilbarchan, near Glasgow. It is a typical 18th Century handloom weaver's cottage, and it houses the last of the eight hundred handlooms that once worked in the village.
Handloom weaving was an important industry in Glasgow and the surrounding area during the 18th Century. Communities of weavers thrived in villages, such as Calton, Govan, Gorbals, Anderston and Kilbarchan.
The weaver today specialises in the making of tartan. Wool is regularly spun and dyed using natural dyes. Most of the dyes are obtained from plant and herbs from the attractive cottage garden.
You are invited to try your hand at weaving, pirn winding and spinning - a pirn is a quill or reed on which yarn is wound, a bobbin. You will be helped along by costumed guides.
It was a trade that could provide a good income. But as the rapid development of new technologies occurred, and the steam-driven power-looms were introduced, the weavers soon became redundant. The steam-driven looms could produce woven goods more quickly and cheaply. It was estimated that one steam-driven loom could produce the work of four people. It took just one person to operate four steam-driven looms.
The living standards and wages of the weavers plummeted sharply. Handloom weavers who could once earn a decent living wage were soon earning as little as five and eight shillings (25p-40p) by 1840. The handloom weaving industry declined quickly thereafter.
Fine and delicate work continued to be in demand from the handlooms until the early 20th century. It remained a poorly paid craft, and was only used to supplement, and not provide, a decent living wage.
Prices
Adult £5 Family £14 One parent £10 Concession £4 Car park £2 pay & display
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Opening Times
30th March to 30th September Friday - Tuesday 1pm - 5pm
Weaver's Cottage
The Cross
Kilbarchan PA10 2JG
Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley
Telephone - 0844 4932205
E mail -
The exhibits on display inside offer an insight into the techniques used by the Clydeside weavers. You can see the portraits of former spinners and weavers in the midst of their tools of trade. The Tartan Ribbon photograph was taken by James Clerk Maxwell in 1861. It is considered to be the first colour photograph.
