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Quiz about Johnstons Woolen Mill of Elgin Scotland
Quiz about Johnstons Woolen Mill of Elgin Scotland

Johnstons Woolen Mill of Elgin, Scotland Quiz


Although not the most famous of Scotland's tourist attractions, Johnstons of Elgin has a very interesting history and is a great place to visit.

A multiple-choice quiz by Morrigan716. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
Morrigan716
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
146,321
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
280
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Question 1 of 10
1. What year was Johnstons of Elgin established? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Johnstons' main business has always been wool.


Question 3 of 10
3. In the 1840s, Johnstons became involved in a range of designs, which were similar to Clan Tartans. What were these called? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What year was the woolen mill damaged by a fire? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Where is most of the cashmere used at Johnstons imported from? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The vicuna hair used at Johnstons is imported from where? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The factory is located in a different location than the mill.


Question 8 of 10
8. Approximately how many people are employed by Johnstons? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What is Johnstons' top selling item? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Johnstons is the only British mill to still transform cashmere from fibers to garments.



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What year was Johnstons of Elgin established?

Answer: 1797

From the beginning, the company has traded from its present site at Newmill on the banks of the River Lossie and has always been run by just two families, the Johnstons and the Harrisons. As far back as 1851, the company have been pioneers in the weaving of vicuna and cashmere in Scotland.
2. Johnstons' main business has always been wool.

Answer: False

The original records of Johnstons of Elgin state that in the early days, Alexander Johnston's main business was linen and flax; also had income from tobacco and oatmeal. The first reference to wool appears in the records in 1801, and the linen business was phased out during the first part of the 19th century. The woolen side was established in 1810.
3. In the 1840s, Johnstons became involved in a range of designs, which were similar to Clan Tartans. What were these called?

Answer: Estate Tweeds

Both tweeds and tartans identify groups of people, but a tartan identifies members of the same family no matter where they live. Estate tweeds identify people who live and work in the same area whether they are related or not. The development of these was largely due to the decline in the influence of the clan chiefs after the battle of Culloden in 1746.
4. What year was the woolen mill damaged by a fire?

Answer: 1957

It was also damaged by floods in 1915 and 1997.
5. Where is most of the cashmere used at Johnstons imported from?

Answer: China and Mongolia

The soft, downy undercoat of the cashmere (Kashmir) goat are the reason it is so desired all over the world. The average cashmere goat gives about 4 1/2 ounces of underfleece a year and it must be combed or plucked by hand every spring. It takes the hair of one goat to make a scarf, two for a lady's sweater, three for man's and at least twenty-four for an overcoat.
6. The vicuna hair used at Johnstons is imported from where?

Answer: South America

There are four South American camelid species, the llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuna. The vicuna is the smallest at only 2 to 3 feet tall and has the finest hair. The Incas were forbidden to kill vicuna. Instead they were captured alive in massive hunts, sheared and then set free.
7. The factory is located in a different location than the mill.

Answer: True

The weaving plant is in Elgin and the knitting factory is in Hawick.
8. Approximately how many people are employed by Johnstons?

Answer: 700

About 500 people are involved in the spinning and weaving in Elgin and about 200 are employed at the knitting factory in Hawick.
9. What is Johnstons' top selling item?

Answer: Scarves

Originally the estate tweeds were woven in heavyweight cloths that were designed to withstand the Scottish weather. As clothes became lighter, the fashion for scarves was born.
10. Johnstons is the only British mill to still transform cashmere from fibers to garments.

Answer: True

When the underfleece arrives in Elgin, it is still matted, greasy, and full of course hairs. This fleece is de-haired to separate the fine cashmere and course guard hair. In the 19th century this was done by hand but towards the end of that century machines were developed. Johnstons pioneered them and for many years mechanical de-hairing was a closely kept industrial secret. Today, de-hairing by machine is commonplace and most cashmere is bought de-haired, but the capacity for de-hairing is still maintained in Elgin, so that the company retains the right to claim it processes the "fiber to garment" on one site.
Source: Author Morrigan716

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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