About Us

Rag Tag ‘n’ Textile is a unique, innovative and ecological company based in Balmacara near Kyle of Lochalsh. We are a registered charity and work with people who are suffering from mental health problems. There are currently ten trainees at Balmacara, all of whom suffer from a degree of mental health issues. There is a staff of six, which includes Cindie who is the Business Development Manager, Mary and Donna who work in manufacturing the items that Rag Tag ‘n’ Textile sells, Amelia is involved in every part of the organisation and Jan who takes care of the admin, but as Cindie says, “Everyone is prepared to help out if we get a big order in.” There are also a number of ‘very wonderful’ volunteers who help out from time to time and share their knowledge and experience with Rag Tag. The organisation has only been in its current premises for just over one year, but we are all excited to be expanding to our additional premises at Broadford on the Isle of Skye as soon as the lease is signed.

Such non-seasonal, secure employment is especially valuable in an area such as the West Coast, which suffers with high unemployment levels and lack of well paid employment.

One of the aims of the organisation is to reduce the stigma that many sufferers of mental illness face, and they do this by the means of bright and interesting displays of the items that they make. Rag Tag ‘n’ Textile also aims to produce high quality products which are sold at very reasonable prices. The products speak for themselves. We concentrate on quality and innovative design which we hope will compete in any market-place. We have also used touring displays and exhibitions to showcase our work.

Everything on this site is unique as everything is made from recycled materials. We have developed our own range of products but even when items are of the same design, each piece is made from recycled fabrics so no two items are exactly the same. Everything that we produce is hand finished.