A Very Short History of McGeorge of Dumfries

While McGeorge of Dumfries constituted one of Scotland's preeminent cashmere specialists, their Shetland wool knitwear captured the hearts and imagination of a generation of consumers who continue to revere the firm's name long after its demise. Despite its once widespread fame, scant information exists now about McGeorge, so this snippet from The Future Museum of South West Scotland offers a rare look into the company's history:

James McGeorge took over Robert Scott and Sons in 1881 to become the largest firm in Dumfries. Four years later it began to specialise in gloves which became particularly popular in colonial markets. The trade was very successful, and when the large St Michael's Street mills became vacant in 1888 McGeorge's transferred there. These mills were demolished in 1990 when the company moved to a factory on the outskirts of town. The factory ceased work in 1992.

The link to the museum above also reveals an interesting hand-framed polo neck cashmere sweater from the company's archives. It features no neck seam or separate roll collar; rather, the front of the neck and body form a single, knitted panel.

My lone McGeorge Shetland crewneck:

Cashmere for Springtime