It’s proving to be an exceptionally busy year thus far for Inverness-based Anna Macneil, a successful family company designing and making Harris Tweed fashion accessories and textile items for the home. Not only does this year see the 25th year in business, but it will also herald the opening of new premises.

Anna Macneil’s new textile art studio is located 6 miles outwith Inverness, at Inchmore, and will be officially opened by HI-Arts’ Director, Robert Livingston, on Thursday 14th April 2011. The studio will house a workshop for the team, as well as a retail area where buyers will be able to browse the collections, in addition to an area where Ruth and the team will continue to run their popular workshops and training courses for individuals and groups.

“We’ve been looking for suitable premises for some time, and this building and location is absolutely perfect for us” says Ruth Black, owner, “we will, at last, have room to run our business all under one roof, plus we’ll have space to comfortably display our selection of over 100 plain and patterned tweeds!”

Harris Tweed is enjoying resurgence, with fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood, and others incorporating it into their own designs, and the team at Anna Macneil have been riding this tide of increased interest. The order book is healthy with orders for collections, made of this highly versatile fabric, which are inspired by sources, such as history, landscape and nature, with Pictish symbols and zoomorphic images featuring within Anna Macneil collections.

Practical and fashionable, that’s Anna Macneil designs, as Ruth says, “Our hats are designed to keep your head warm – and to not blow off in the wind! Our scarves are cosy as well as decorative. The bags and purses are all fully lined and have secure fastenings. The team now has a new home to continue their unique and much sought-after designs!”

The Anna Macneil textile art studio doors will open to the public from 3pm on the 14 April 2011, until 8pm. All are welcome to come along.

Thereafter the opening times will be: Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30 am to 3.30pm. Other times by appointment. Workshop dates to be announced.

Full details on the Anna Macneil website: www.annamacneil.co.uk.