what is waulking wool
The first reference to waulking came in the 13th century. In the 1950s machines took over the process and with them a part of Scotland's cultural heritage lapsed into her history. Waulking is a finishing process that is applied only to woven wool (tweed). In GhÃ idhlig, Gaelic, the process of waulking is called luadh (loo-ugh) and the songs of waulking are known as orain luaidh (or-ine loo-ie). There were four parts to the waulking process. The first, similar to the fulling process, entails shrinking the fabric so in its thickening a certain quality of wind and waterproofing is realised. Then cleansing the cloth, folding the cloth, the process of giving it tension after which came a rite of consecration.