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Prickly Thistle
Prickly Thistle
As of 14th October 2022 we rebelled, and for now have an anti-social media platform policy. Let's connect in a real way, set yourself free from the scroll....
We really loved the time we spent at the prickly thistle. The Talk was very informative and because of the ambiente and the how it was handled it gave us all a feeling of story telling time. it was noticeable how important it is for them to tell the story of their ancestors and how much love went into everything the do at the shop. I highly recomend taking the time for this talk and stralling through the shop.
Sandra, thank you — it means so much that the talk felt like real storytelling time for you. Sharing the untold history of tartan, rebellion, and the ancestors who kept these traditions alive is at the core of our mill. We’re glad the atmosphere and the care behind it all came through.
Love, Clare and the team x
I'm thrilled that I was able to do the Weave a Piece of Prickly Tartan Workshop during my trip. I popped in the day before to ensure I knew exactly where to go and had a wonderful time talking with the team. I don't have the words to express how meaningful the workshop was for me. I'm itching to weave more tartan and will be getting a Sampleit Loom before the end of the year. I enjoyed it immensely and cannot recommend it highly enough!
Ann Marie, this is wonderful to read — we’re so glad the workshop meant so much to you. Sharing the craft behind tartan is at the heart of our rebellion, and knowing it sparked a desire to weave more is just brilliant. Enjoy every moment on your loom when it arrives!
Love, Clare and the team x
The class was a wonderful surprise opportunity! Could only ask for a bit better lighting situation 🫶
Thank you — we’re so glad the class was a brilliant surprise for you. Sophie brings such energy, and it’s wonderful to hear it landed so well. We will soon be renovating the basement of our shop, so in the future we will be hosting workshops in a dedicated (and well lit!) space. Stay tuned!
Love, Clare and the team x
My friend and I really enjoyed the session with Clair. We not only got to learn, make and take home a beautiful piece of tartan, we also got to absorb a lot of historical background and other fun facts about the highlands.
Audrey, thank you — we’re so glad you enjoyed weaving your own piece of tartan. Sharing the craft and the history of the Highlands is a huge part of why we do what we do, and it’s brilliant to hear the workshop hit the mark for you.
Love, Clare and the team x
We were on a Highlands tour to learn about Scottish history. We did and it was all about men and their struggles for power and control. Where were the women in that story? We finally found them at our very informative talk. Real women's stories about survival and sacrifice, for themselves and others. I bought Susan's Highland Heroines book and intend to share with everyone. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and recommend it to anyone looking for the real heart of Scotland, the women.
Theresa, thank you — we’re so glad the talk gave you the women’s history that’s so often missing from the usual Highland stories. Sharing these voices of courage and resistance is at the heart of what we do, and it means a lot that the experience resonated so deeply.
Love, Clare and the team x
Clare was brilliantly informative about the company and bringing weaving back to the Highlands. It was so inspiring learning to weave that I am going to buy a loom and carry on.
Thank you to Clare and your fabulous team.
Katharine, thank you — it’s brilliant to hear the workshop inspired you to keep weaving! Bringing the craft back to the Highlands is our rebel mission, and knowing it sparked something for you is incredibly special.
Love, Clare and the team x
I had such a great time - I learnt a lot, had fun and came away with a new hobby and a piece of weaving that will be shown to anyone and everyone coming my way!
Sandra, thank you — we’re so glad the workshop gave you a new hobby and a piece of weaving you’re proud to show off.
Love, Clare and the team x
The maxi kilt is beautifully made and so versatile, I love it! It is elegant, comfortable and I feel so proud wearing it. I now have two and have worn mine for evenings out, highland games, and also plan to wear to a wedding next year. It’s such a modern twist on the traditional kilt yet so connected to the historical origins of the kilt in Scotland. Claire is so talented and has been so lovely to deal with. I’m a firm believer in the Prickly Thistle company and will definitely order again. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Stephanie! We’re absolutely chuffed that you love your maxi kilts — they really are such special pieces, full of history and modern Rebel flair. Hearing how proud you feel wearing them to all your special events, makes us so happy. Your support means the world to us.
Love Clare and the team x
Thank you so much for this lovely review! We’re absolutely chuffed that you’re loving your Climate Stripes top — and those photos are just smashing, it looks brilliant on you. It’s such a joyful Rebel piece, and seeing you wear it with such confidence has made our day. Enjoy every single wear!
Love Clare and the team x
I discovered Prickly Thistle on line while looking for a place to purchase a real tartan kilt or fabric on my trip to Scotland. I fell in love with the Maxi Kilt on first sight! Then I started digging into Prickly Thistle and connected strongly with everything I saw: womxn owned, womxn working in fiber, the development of the memorial "Witches of Scotland" tartan, the tartan movement (for lack of the best word), stepping back from Social Media, These ethics/actions all speak to my heart.
I purchased the VIP Rebel Row Shopping Experience for my sister and I so that we could have a personal experience at Rebel Row. I was a bit nervous when I saw the photo of a room packed with people having a VIP experience on their website, as parties are not really my thing. I was so excited about our visit and delightedly mistaken about a big party when we arrived and were warmly (and privately) welcomed by Susan and Clare. We spent a delightful 2 hours in conversation and shopping, sipping fizzy drinks and nibbling. Yes, we ended up making a purchase! This experience was the HIGHLIGHT of my trip to Scotland. Next time, I will plan my trip around the mill tour! Every woman IS a rebel!
Martha, thank you so much for this incredible review. We’re honestly so touched by your words. It means the world that you connected so deeply with our values — from our womxn‑powered team to the Witches of Scotland tartan and everything we stand for as a wee rebellious mill in the Highlands.
We’re thrilled that your VIP Rebel Row experience was such a highlight. Susan and I absolutely loved spending that time with you both and helping you find pieces that felt truly yours. It’s exactly why we do what we do.
We can’t wait to welcome you back, and next time we’ll have the kettle on (or the fizz chilled!) for the mill tour. Every womxn IS a rebel, and you’re part of our clan now.
Love Clare and the team x
Spurred on by the acquisition of a fabulous Prickly Thistle top, and a thoroughly enjoyable visit to the Rebel Row shop, my wife, Penelope, and I decide to book the Mill Tour.
We had a fantastic time learning all about the weaving process, and the journey of Prickly Thistle over the last decade. Clare is a force of nature! Equally as home in overalls working with the chains, as modelling the company’s products. She is a prime example of where there is a will, there is a way - her own story is woven(!) into the whole experience.
We love the brand. The quality of materials, the localised sourcing of materials, and the support for a localised workforce. This is a company that understands the impact of the textiles industry at a global scale, and works ethically to produce artisan products that support the localised Highland and Islands community, and minimise textile waste.
If you are thinking whether or not to do this tour, I would say - just do it! You’ll be glad you did.
Thank you so much Andy! We’re absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed the Mill Tour — sharing our weaving process, our values, and the story behind what we do is something we care about deeply. It means the world to hear how much you appreciated the craft, the ethics, and the passion that drives our wee team. Thank you for recommending the tour so wholeheartedly. Hope to welcome you back again soon.
Love Clare and the team x
The weaving workshop I attended this morning was amazing. Clare is brilliantly informative and enthusiastic about the art if weaving. She is keen to pass on the history and polítical need to keep weaving in production in the central area of Scotland and is actively seeking to bring it before parliament.
Learning the art of weaving was initially tricky but with Clare's help and encouragement we all progressed and for over 2 hours weaved and chatted. We were all really pleased and proud of the cloth we made.
This is definitely the best short course I've done.
Thank you so so much for your amazing review Katharine and the photo! Wow, we are honoured that this has been the best short course you have been on. We are so pleased that you enjoyed our weaving workshop experience and have created a beautiful piece of tartan woven by you. We loved having you in our Rebel Row Store and passing on our knowledge of weaving and our version of the tartan story. Love Clare and the team x
I am absolutely thrilled with my sensational Pirate Pants from Prickly Thistle. They look amazing, feel fantastic, and are unbelievably comfortable. Every time I wear them, they turn heads—they’re just super perfect and effortlessly cool. The craftsmanship is outstanding, and you can feel the quality the moment you put them on.
The customer service was equally impressive. Communication was clear, friendly, and fast, making the whole experience a joy from start to finish.
If you’re thinking about getting a pair, do it. These pants are a statement piece in the best possible way.
Thank you so much Rebecca for your amazing Rebel Review! We are over the moon that you love your new Pirate Pants. Thank you for all your kind words - we do put our heart and soul into everything we make here and have an amazing team who weave, cut and sew our tartan into pieces of Prickly thank you can enjoy for years to come. Your support of our small but mighty mill in the Highlands means the world to us. Hope you have many more compliments in your Pirate Pants! Love Clare and the team x
I adore my drape kilt in the Witches of Scotland tartan design. I’ve been wearing it in Japan and received so many compliments (even from Godzilla). I also support the ethos behind both Prickly Thistle & the Witches of Scotland. Such a fabulous collaboration.
Thank you so much Helena for your amazing review and the photo of you in your Witches of Scotland drape kilt! You look amazing in your kilt and like you could take on Godzilla in it 😂!! Thank you for supporting our mill, our ethos and the Witches of Scotland campaign which we are thrilled to be a part of. It's been a dream collaboration! Love Clare and the team x
My Rebel Pirate trousers have arrived and I couldn’t be happier. They fit amazingly well, are super comfortable, and look absolutely fabulous. I just love love love these trousers. The quality, the feel, the style — everything is spot on.
Thank you so very much, Clare and the Prickly Thistle team . You’ve made one very happy customer.
Thank you for your Rebel review Rebecca! We are so pleased to hear that you love your new trousers - it is so special to have something made just for you. You are very welcome and thank you so so much for supporting our little mill in the Highlands and funding our tartan rebellion. Hope you enjoy being rebellious when wearing your new trousers! Love Clare and the team x
What a wonderful day we spent at the mill with Clare.
So very informative, giving a real understanding of the process involved in producing beautiful tartans.
On top of this a beautiful top made for one of my lucky fellow visitors, Clare showed us in a step by step demonstration how to cut and create a beautiful, simple garment.
I would highly recommend this tour.
Thank you for such a lovely review about our day trip to our Mill! We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and enjoyed the demonstration. Seeing our mill really puts what we do in context and we love sharing our passion for making tartan in the Highlands. Thank you for recommending us! Love Clare and the team x
And now I look like one.
So true Kate!!!! Thank you so much for your Rebel Review - love it! You 100% get what we do and what we are all about. Love Clare and the team x
As usual this item is fabulously perfect! I am never disappointed in the creations by the fierce rebel women of Prickly Thistle xx
Awww thank you so much Christine! We are so chuffed that you love what we do and we are so glad you are enjoying your new scarf. Your support means the world! Love Clare and the team x
I love this opportunity to win a full kilt and I have everything crossed! Wish me luck!
Thank you so much for your rebel review! We have everything crossed for you too!!! Love Clare and the team x
Amazing quality and a funky, unique design. Excellent ethos and customer service. Speading the word…!
I could hardly wait for my purchase to arrive in Australia from Scotland. Absolutely beautiful. Love the cropped style. Fine wool which is both light, cool in the warmer months and warm in the cooler.
I can’t wait to order the matching pants❤️
Frances
Thank you so much Frances! We are so pleased to hear that your piece of Prickly made it to you and you are loving it!! You are so right, wool is perfect for all year round. Thank you again for the brilliant review and all the best for the New Year! Love Clare and the team x
Beautifully and traditionally crafted by extremely talented individuals while making a powerful addition to any outfit!
Thank you Renee! That's so kind of you to take the time to leave a Rebel Review and we are so pleased that you love your new powerful piece of Prickly. We hope it gives you power and you enjoy wearing it! Love Clare and the team x
Beautiful, individual scarf, high quality wonderfully crafted, ✨️ 💕 whats more a % goes to charity. Will be ordering more in the New year from Prickly thistle as each item is individual and stand out from the crowd.
I would highly recommend this workshop we had a great time. The workshop was very relaxed and led by an extremely knowledge lady.
Thank you for your Rebel Review Louise! Sophie is an amazing tutor and embroiderer. Hope your tartan crackers are fun to use this Christmas! Love Clare and the team x
Sophie was absolutely amazing. She was happy to carry on the class with me alone. Very much an added bonus for me. Sitting on the sofa by the fire
Good music and lovely snacks. To top it off I learned how to make a Christmas bauble . Real fun , lots of tips and enough in the kit to make 2. The icing on the cake was an extra look at the beautiful clothes. All in all a real treat. What can I sign up for next I wonder
Thank you for your wonderful review and photo of you bauble! We are so pleased you enjoyed your evening with us at Rebel Row and went home with a Christmas creation that you can get enjoyment out of for years to come. We hope to have more creative things happening this coming year so keep an eye out! Thank you again, love Clare and the team x
Where did it all begin, the why then, the why now and the future of why not?