Top 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Angus

A Textile Heritage Woven into Angus

Textiles shaped the towns of Angus. In the nineteenth century, Arbroath, Forfar, Brechin, Kirriemuir and Montrose were busy with flax spinning, linen weaving and jute processing, closely tied to nearby Dundee. Arbroath became renowned for sailcloth, and Forfar developed a strong tradition in industrial fabrics. Many of the mill buildings still stand today as reminders of this history.

While the scale of traditional textile production has declined, Angus and the wider region have reinvented themselves in technical textiles, nonwovens and premium woven products. These manufacturers combine heritage skills with modern engineering and sustainability practices.

How We Selected These Manufacturers

We highlighted companies based in Angus or with strong links to Tayside and Scotland's textile industry, considering product quality, innovation, heritage, export reach and commitment to sustainable production.

The Top 10 Textile Manufacturers Linked to Angus

1. Don and Low

Don and Low, based in Forfar, is one of the most significant textile manufacturers in the region. It produces technical textiles and nonwoven fabrics used in construction, agriculture, filtration, hygiene and industrial applications, continuing Forfar's long association with industrial fabrics.

2. Francis Webster and Sons

Francis Webster and Sons in Arbroath has a history stretching back to the town's sailcloth era. Today it produces technical and specialist fabrics, including materials for industrial, heritage and outdoor uses, maintaining Arbroath's weaving tradition.

3. Halley Stevensons

Halley Stevensons in Dundee is famous for waxed cotton and technical finishes used by leading outdoor and fashion brands. Its proximity to Angus and shared jute-era heritage make it an important regional name.

4. Scott and Fyfe

Scott and Fyfe in Tayport, just across the Tay, is a long-established technical textile manufacturer producing engineered fabrics for construction, oil and gas, and composites.

5. Johnstons of Elgin

Johnstons of Elgin is one of Scotland's most prestigious woollen and cashmere mills. Its luxury knitwear, scarves and fabrics are sold widely in Angus boutiques and around the world.

6. Lochcarron of Scotland

Lochcarron is a leading tartan weaver producing kilts, scarves and fabrics. Many Angus families and organisations commission tartans and highland wear woven by the company.

7. Todd and Duncan

Todd and Duncan in Kinross spins premium cashmere yarn for luxury brands worldwide. Its expertise in colour and yarn quality reflects Scotland's global reputation for fine textiles.

8. Harris Tweed Hebrides

Harris Tweed Hebrides produces the iconic handwoven cloth of the Outer Hebrides. Its fabrics are popular with tailors and designers in Angus seeking authentic Scottish materials.

9. Begg x Co

Begg x Co in Ayr is known for luxurious scarves and throws with a contemporary design approach. Its products are stocked by premium retailers and demonstrate modern Scottish craftsmanship.

10. Hawick Knitwear

Hawick Knitwear continues the Borders tradition of fine knitwear, producing garments for its own label and other brands. It represents the wider Scottish textile network that Angus retailers draw on.

Trends in Scottish Textiles

Sustainability is a major focus, with manufacturers exploring recycled fibres, reduced water use and circular production. Technical textiles are growing in importance, serving sectors such as renewable energy, construction and agriculture. Provenance also matters to consumers, and the Made in Scotland label carries strong appeal in export markets.

Automation and digital design are helping manufacturers remain competitive. Modern looms, computerised pattern design and precise finishing techniques allow smaller mills to deliver high quality with short lead times.

The Value of Local Textile Heritage

Angus's textile history supports tourism and education. Museums, heritage trails and restored mill buildings tell the story of the industry, while manufacturers still operating in the region help keep valuable skills alive. Apprenticeships in weaving, finishing and textile engineering provide routes into skilled careers.

Choosing a Textile Partner

Businesses sourcing textiles should consider technical specifications, certifications, minimum order quantities and sustainability credentials. Visiting mills where possible helps build relationships and understand production capabilities. Working with Scottish manufacturers can shorten supply chains and strengthen brand storytelling.

Technical Textiles and New Markets

Technical textiles have become the growth engine of the modern industry. These engineered fabrics are designed for performance rather than appearance, and they appear in places many people never notice: geotextiles stabilising roads and railway embankments, crop covers protecting Angus soft fruit and vegetables, filtration media in industrial plants, and composite reinforcements used in wind turbine blades and marine structures. The expertise that once produced sailcloth and jute sacking has been adapted to meet exacting modern specifications. For Angus, this means textile manufacturing remains relevant to key local industries, including agriculture, construction and renewable energy, and continues to provide skilled engineering and production jobs in the county.

Conclusion

From sailcloth to nonwovens and luxury cashmere, the textile story of Angus continues to evolve. The manufacturers above combine heritage with innovation, offering quality products for industry and consumers alike. Supporting them helps preserve an important part of Scottish identity while building a sustainable future for the sector.