Scotland's oldest weaver fears end of era of Scottish craftmanship is looming
industry with no young people coming through to whom he can pass on his expertise.Great-grandad Rob Beaton started his career aged 14 as a textile mill apprentice – and uses a loom dating from 1928.Over the decades, he has worked at five mills in and around Galashiels and Selkirk and at one time he used to make 25 miles of fabric a week.But Rob says mechanisation has meant older looms like the ones he uses, some of which are nearly 100 years old, have fallen out of use and the knowledge about them has all but disappeared.He added: “It’s been very difficult as the years have gone by and I’ve had nobody to turn to for help.“The looms get worn out and all the guys who worked in the loom sheds have passed away.