The historic surroundings of Arbroath Abbey [3] provide a suitable setting this weekend for a demonstration of an ancient craft which has endured throughout many centuries.

Three members of the Angus Spinners will be at the medieval abbey’s visitor centre on Saturday 26th May 2007 to demonstrate their skills in hand spinning and show how spindles and spinning wheels are used.

Hand spinning began around 5,000 BC and the first spinning wheels were introduced around 1,500 AD. Since then, there has been very little change in the traditional techniques used to transform natural raw materials into the yarn used in looms producing material for clothing and textiles.

Only the tools of the craft have evolved. And although nowadays, the vast majority of spinning is highly mechanised and undertaken on a very large scale using sophisticated equipment and advanced technology, interest in traditional hand spinning skills continues to be strong.

Angus Spinners member Kay Anderson, who will be dressed in medieval costume for the event on Saturday, said: "I think today, an increasing number of people are tired of mass-produced goods and there’s a growing appreciation of traditional skills and crafts. Hand-made fabrics created using entirely natural materials are becoming more popular again and people are keen to find out how they are made. Young and old certainly enjoy learning how hand spinning is done and seeing spinning wheels being used.

Our previous visits to Arbroath Abbey have been very well received so we’re looking forward to coming back this year and having the opportunity once again to talk to people about hand spinning and giving them a chance to have a go at it."

The Angus Spinners will be at Arbroath Abbey on Saturday 26th May from 11.00am to 1.00pm and from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

• Arbroath Abbey [5] is in Arbroath town centre on the A92. Telephone 01241 878756. Admission is £4.50 for adults, £2.25 for children and £3.50 for concessions.
  
  
• The Abbey was founded in 1178 for monks of the Tironensian order by King William the Lion.
  
  
• The Abbey is famous for its connection with the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath in which Scottish nobles swore their independence from England. The visitor centre features an exhibition on the declaration.
  
  
• The habits worn by the monks who once lived and worked at Arbroath Abbey would have been made from wool spun using the techniques displayed by the Angus Spinners. The evidence shows that they were tailored to fit the individual monk and made from high-quality home-spun wool.