St Andrews Links Blog

Mairead Hume – Harris Tweed Collection

Born from her passion for the game of golf and the beauty of the Island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Mairead Hume from Dunblane, launched her Harris Tweed Golf Accessory Collection. She spotted a gap in the market for a truly Scottish golf accessory whilst working for a leading golf tour operator and playing on some of the world’s top courses.

Luskentyre beach, Isle of Harris – photo by Reekie Photography

After consulting with her tour clients, Mairead started out by stitching her first Harris Tweed product herself putting her faith in two of Scotland’s best assets – Harris Tweed and golf.

“There is a natural synergy between Harris Tweed and golf; both are traditional and uniquely Scottish. I made a shoe bag and took it to my adviser who said my idea was good, but I’d need to make a full range to make it viable,”. “It took me two months to design the range, and I realised I would need help with all the sewing required, so I found two fantastic tailors in Stirling whom I work with to this day.”

Since then, Mairead’s products have been spotted hanging from the bags of top Ladies European Tour players including Beth Allan and Sally Watson.

“The reaction to the products has been phen­omenal, and the golf pros who use them love the fact they’ve got a little bit of Scotland with them wherever they are competing.”

Mairead Hume and the Home of Golf

Last year, the St Andrews Links Golf Shops showcased Mairead’s luxury range of Harris Tweed Golf Accessories for the first time. She exclusively designed a unique tweed pattern for the Home of Golf based on the St Andrews Links Tartan.

Islanders still use traditional looms weaving virgin sheep wool in their homes to produce Harris Tweed

The accessories are made from lengths of Harris Tweed cloth which for centuries the islanders of Lewis, Harris, the Uists, Benbecula and Barra have woven by hand. Harris Tweed remains to this day handwoven by islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides. After the tweed’s produced, the Harris Tweed Orb is pressed onto the length of cloth. This mark guarantees the highest quality tweed and that it abides by the laws outlined in the Harris Tweed Act of Parliament which defines Harris Tweed as follows:

“Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.”

The famous Harris Tweed Orb 

Once produced, the tweed is then finished by Mairead’s team of tailors. The St Andrews Links tweed is a deep green, navy and yellow check with every item featuring the iconic St Andrews Links logo and each hand-tailored and hand-woven in Scotland.

 
The St Andrews Links tweed in production

The Mairead Hume Collection available in our golf shops

The complete range includes head covers of different types, a valuables pouch, a tee bag and a shoe bag. By purchasing one of these products, you’ll be taking home something woven with skill and dedication by crofters in their own homes in Scotland and supporting the historic trade of tweed manufacturing.

As Harris Tweed is water resistant and durable, all of Mairead’s accessories are guaranteed to have a long life if cared for properly. The material has been used by the world’s best designers, artists and fashion houses meaning these golf accessories are a classic touch of luxury that will never go out of style.

Explore the collection in full on our website.

Words by Mairi Livesley, Brand Development Co-ordinator