Meet the Makers: Kenneth Pollock and Anne Bell from Green Grove Weavers

Hello! We’re Kenneth Pollock and Anne Bell, a husband and wife designer duo. Our company is based in beautiful Morayshire in an old traditional Victorian fishing lodge on the River Spey. We are surrounded by glorious countryside, nestled between the mountains and the sea – the Highland landscape is a constant source of inspiration for our colours.

For many years we hurtled around the world, working with leading international designers and luxury brands, until we decided ten years ago that it was about time to design our own collection!

We wanted to have our designs manufactured here in Scotland by some of the world’s best craftspeople. We feel passionately that it’s important to keep the skills garnered over the centuries alive in our modern textile industry.

We design and make a range of accessories in natural fibres, British wool, superfine lambswool and mohair. Each fibre lends itself to different designs and colours, from the natural tones of the fleece of the Jacob sheep (which we spin into a subtle, neutral palette) to the rich glowing shades that can be dyed on lustrous mohair. We look to the rich traditions of Scottish textiles for inspiration to design modern classics.

All our accessories are knitted or woven using the best quality sustainable natural materials. We particularly love working with our mohair yarns. The fibre comes from angora goats, sustainably raised. Mohair is a particularly long, fine and lustrous fibre and takes on colour beautifully – wonderful rich shades can be developed and, when combined on the loom, amazing surprises often happen! Our unique finishing process further enhances the fabric, creating a form of colour alchemy.

Wool is a very sustainable fibre and is 100% biodegradable – it will naturally decompose in soil in a matter of years, slowly releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth. We spin our Jacob wool from the natural shades of the fleece, therefore removing the need for dyestuffs and chemicals.

We feel that our products are unique because we can offer an individual and personalised service. We love working closely with our customers to develop new products, to help with merchandising or exploring new ideas together. And we just love colour!

What’s your favourite thing about running your own business?

Without doubt, the brilliant people that we meet from all over the world. It’s a privilege to work with the hugely talented people who make our products.

What’s the proudest moment of your business career?

Wow! That’s a hard one. I think seeing our designs being worn and loved are some of the best moments.

Where is your favourite National Trust for Scotland place?

So many favourites ... both the outdoor spaces and the historic buildings inspire us! We love the garden at Inverewe: the setting on the north-west coast is stunning and is great to visit at different times throughout the year. Brodie Castle is our nearest property, with its amazing collection of mid-20th-century paintings in one of the attic rooms which we visit again and again.

We’re looking forward to a castle trail through Aberdeenshire when they’re all open again.

How did you start working with the Trust?

We met at a trade show in 2017 and started working together soon afterwards. Initially we worked closely with Culloden and Glencoe, then with other properties around the country. It was particularly exciting when the Culloden gift shop recently won a prestigious international award.

What’s your favourite product that you supply to the Trust and what was the inspiration behind creating it?

We have a coordinated collection of bright stripy scarves, berets and mittens in store right now, all inspired by the colours of Scotland. We love this combination of modernity and tradition.

What do you love about Scotland? #fortheloveofscotland

So much! The people, the creativity, the landscape, the history we have here. We have some of the most beautiful, unspoiled, wild coastlines and landscapes in the world on our doorstep and some of the best creatives ... we would say that, wouldn’t we!

Explore the Trust’s Green Grove Weavers collection