AT students get weaving

Inverness College to design weaving mill

Architectural Technology students at Inverness College UHI are working on plans to turn a disused farm on the Black Isle into a mill for weaving tartan.

The twenty final year students are working in teams of four 'clans' to design the new building. 

The final design will be selected by Prickly Thistle tartan design studio owner Clare Campbell, who will submit the plans to Highland Council. 

Course leader Ross Cairns MCIAT said 'We pride ourselves on the employability of our graduates and it is "live" projects like this that really give our students the edge when it comes to getting a job. Every year we work on real-life projects with employers but this one is particularly exciting to be involved in because of the impact it will have on the future of the region’s textile industry.

'It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to design something which will create a legacy and to work on a project which is comparable to the kind of thing they will do when they leave Inverness College UHI. They will make key contacts and we hope it will pave the way for further collaborative projects between Prickly Thistle and Inverness College UHI.'

For the BBC report on the story, click here.