FORMER textile mill workers joined crowds at Innerleithen’s Lou Lou’s Emporium for a book launch celebrating the industry in Tweeddale.

Caroline Milligan, who edited Border Mills: Lives of Peeblesshire Textile Workers, by the late distinguished Scottish historian Dr Ian MacDougall, signed books being bought on the day and others which are still on sale.

Lou Lou’s proprietor, Louise Coulson, features in a colour photograph in the book, finalising an Intarsia design for production at Caerlee Mill.

Louise said: “I am happy to say that today’s book launch was a great success.

“Thank you to the book’s editor Caroline Milligan for coming down and signing lots of copies.

“If you didn't make it to the launch we have plenty of copies available and it makes the perfect Christmas present for those who are interested in our local textile heritage.

"Ian MacDougall's widow, Sandra, also came down from Edinburgh for the event and noted that her husband would have thoroughly approved of the book he was unable to complete, after sadly passing away during the COVID Pandemic of 2020.

"It is such a fascinating book featuring the testaments of 29 Peebles, Innerleithen and Walkerburn residents and their experiences working in the various mills, over the years."