CELEBRATING
150 YEARS OF LACE
THE IRVINE VALLEY LACE FESTIVAL
7–10 OCTOBER 2026
In 1876, Alexander Morton introduced the power loom to the 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 two remaining mills.
Join us for a landmark four-day celebration of our heritage.
A Historic Collaboration
In a historic collaboration, Newmilns is proud to partner with Darvel and Galston to launch the first-ever Irvine Valley Lace Festival, uniting our three towns to celebrate a shared global legacy.
The groups organising this event are:
- Discover Darvel
- Newmilns Regeneration Association
- Galston Trust
While we celebrate 150 years of the power loom this October, the Irvine Valley's transformation 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.
A Living Legacy
From the earliest automated patterns to the height of the industrial era, the story of the Irvine Valley is one of remarkable global influence, paired with a quiet resilience through periods of decline.
Today, that proud heritage lives on through our two remaining mills. MYB Textiles, the world’s last producer of Nottingham Lace, continues to craft intricate designs steeped in tradition, while Haddow, Aird & Crerar have expertly evolved their historic looms to create world-class modern screen cloth. Together, they ensure that although the industry has transformed, the skill, innovation, and enduring spirit of the Irvine Valley weavers remain a vibrant and living part of our community.
For more information, download our Heritage App
here:
FESTIVAL
ITINERARY
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Don’t miss this once-in-a-century milestone.
Make a day of it and enjoy a warm welcome at our local coffee shops and pubs. More information is available on our events page or by visiting each towns' websites below.
BEYOND THE LOOMS
Download the Newmilns Heritage App to explore our Lace Murals and the Alexander Fleming (famously discovered penicillin in 1928) mural in Darvel, and the incredible global links of our valley lace workers, including how they helped found football clubs in Gothenburg and Barcelona.
Get involved
#LoveNewmilns
Help create a lasting legacy of the lace industry in the valley towns for future generations to cherish.
Capture and share your photos of the lace industry using the hashtag #LoveNewmilns. Your contributions may also be featured in our upcoming exhibitions.
Share Your Photos
You can share your images in a range of ways:
Post directly on the Love Newmilns Facebook page.
Send your photos to us by email here.
Use the form below to upload your photos.
We look forward to seeing your photos as we paint a vibrant picture of the lace industry together.
