Coincidences…

A charming coincidence unfolded in our Story Room this morning when our first two guests of the week joined us all the way from Japan. They had travelled to the island quite separately and had booked onto the same story room guided tour, they quickly discovered they were both from a neighbouring area of Tokyo, yet were destined to meet here in Stornoway for the first time!

It was a special moment as they connected and discussed their shared love for Harris Tweed®. One guest proudly wore a beautiful Harris Tweed® jacket he had tailored himself, while the other sported a favourite cap he had brought from his home to ours. Mr Yasunori Fujii (right of picture) said: ‘It has been my life’s ambition to come here to see where Harris Tweed is made – I am passionate about craft and craftsmanship’. Yasunori had with him a treasured book on Harris Tweed by Japanese author Yoshimi Hasegawa from her visit to our island and industry back in 2011 and in which our Chief Executive, Lorna is pictured. Passing her in the corridor this morning, Yasunori recognised Lorna from the book and asked to be photographed with her.

Moments like these beautifully illustrate how our cherished fabric connects us globally.