Ultimately our work is about conservation – conserving a breed of sheep, a simpler way of life and the value that we place on the uniqueness of creativity.

Born and raised in Africa and India, as a child I was surrounded by examples of skilled artisans making beautiful and useful things with their hands and imagination. I was taught from an early age that making things yourself was attainable – clothes for my dolls graduated to clothes for myself and others.

Whilst creativity has been a central theme in my life, I am also driven by a passion to behave responsibly, to respect and conserve our shared natural and cultural heritage, and to recognise the amazing benefits of diversity and power of collaboration.

Next came Chocflock, which celebrates and champions the coloured wool of Castlemilk Moorit sheep. By demonstrating the beauty of materials created from their mocha fleeces I hope to inspire others to see a value in the breed, to ensure they are treasured and no longer rare.

My designs feature a combination of traditional patterns (Scottish and African) in weaving, knitting and tapestry pieces. Worked in a limited complementary colour palette that reflects the natural hues of the landscape surrounding our small coastal farm.

With the help of a talented local hand-weaver to interpret my designs for fabric and shawls plus other British manufacturers, I work across a range of media including knitting, tapestries and furniture.

Yet there is a constant thread – a love and respect for the sheep, their wool and the beautiful objects that can be created from this sustainable fibre for practical and decorative use.

Ultimately our work is about conservation – conserving a breed of sheep, a simpler way of life and the value that we place on the uniqueness of creativity.

It’s about the richness we can find when we look beyond a colour palette that starts with white.

It’s about giving people the ingredients to get creative.

It’s about diversity, sustainability and empowerment.

I would love it if more people were able to help me spread those messages.

Thank you for reading this through.

Rebecca McLellan

In 2018 a career break coincided with Covid-19 and an unexpected opportunity to revitalise a 200-year-old family farm in southwest Scotland. Here was a chance to make a difference and see what could be done from the ground up – literally field to fabric. My husband Hamish and I, accompanied by our son Gus, began with the livestock, promoting biodiversity, by introducing rare native Castlemilk Moorit sheep, growing herb rich grass for local cattle and establishing conservation wetland to attract curlews and snipe.