Bonnetmakers - the new Talk from TVFHS!

The latest Talk for Tay Valley FHS, 'Bonnetmakers: The Early Male Hand Knitters of Scotland' by Michael Harrigan, now available at https://youtu.be/PKepFv6Jvj4 is based on Michael's research for his M. Litt. degree from Dundee University. Michael says: ‘This study examines the male-dominated hand-knitting industry in Scotland from the earliest Bonnetmaker guild formation in the late fifteenth century through the introduction of machine knitting in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Specifically, a comparison is made between the bonnetmaking guilds of the burgh of Dundee and the small Ayrshire town of Stewarton in respect of their management of members, products and markets.’ Did you have Bonnetmakers in your family? Many with Dundee ancestry did - and the Bonnetmakers are still present here as a craft incorporation, one of the Nine Trades, though now they are an ‘open’ trade (which indeed has the largest membership of the Dundee trade incorporations), involved, like the other incorporations, with charitable and educational work. And there were, of course, bonnetmakers elsewhere in our area!

The Q&A will be held somewhat differently this time - as Michael lives in Thailand! Please can you send questions or comments to talks'at'tayvalleyfhs.org.uk and they will be passed on to Michael who will respond and we'll share the responses in the Q&A. Details for registering will be available to members on the 'video talks' area of the website, and to our Tay Connect group on Facebook. If you're not a member of TVFHS you can contact that 'talks' email to find out about the Q&A.