By Shirley Wallace
•
May 6, 2026
The Irvine Valley Lace Festival 7-10 October 2026 In 1876, Alexander Morton introduced the power loom to our valley, transforming Darvel, Newmilns and Galston into a global heartbeat of textile excellence. 150 years later, we celebrate the resilience, art, and innovation of an industry that once boasted 40 factories and continues today through our two remaining mills. Join us for a landmark four-day celebration of our heritage. While we celebrate 150 years of the power loom this October, the Irvine Valley's transformation truly began right here in Newmilns. In 1838, our own Joseph Hood ignited an industrial revolution by introducing the first Jacquard machine. By utilising revolutionary punched cards to automate complex patterns, Hood laid the foundation for the craftsmanship and global reputation that would define our valley for generations.