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Hats created through new milliners' commissions and millinery workshops are on show in the Borders Textile Towerhouse.

Eight hats celebrating the Borders were also commissioned from established Scottish milliners including Felicity Faichney and Fenella Kerr who run the HATWALK charity. In addition to a hat called ‘Surf and Turf’, Felicity has also created a hat inspired by the Hawick Common Riding.

Other commissioned hats include hats sponsored by local businesses including Traquair House, Inis clothing and A Hume Country Clothing of Kelso. The hat sponsored by Traquair House incorporates peacock feathers from the birds resident at the house and is designed by James Faulkner. The Inis hat is by Jeanette Sendler and inspired, as is the clothing shop, by the Outer Hebrides.

All hats will be exhibited at the Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick from 21 June – Mid August. Borders Textile Towerhouse is open Monday – Saturday 10am-4.30pm and Sunday 12noon-3pm. Admission is Free.

The HATWALK events have been designed in partnership with the Heart of Hawick and the Creative Arts Business Network (CABN) at Scottish Borders Council. As part of the project, CABN has commissioned a talented new photography graduate from St Boswells, Christopher Keatinge, to photograph the new milliner’s hats. CABN supports artists and makers in the Borders.

HATWALK events in the Borders have been programmed as part of the first national Festival of Craft. Craft Festival Scotland promotes the diversity and skill of professional craft and craft makers, and features textiles, glass, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, woodwork and millinery. The festival champions traditional craft disciplines and established techniques alongside radical crafts and new approaches.

Photo Credit: Christopher Keatinge