The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1512.2019.1
Rohan (Windlord) Gwaihir Jacket
25/10/2019
Hermione Cooper
25/10/2019
Rohan (Windlord) Gwaihir Jacket with Zip front, hood 2 front and 2 side zippered pockets
cotton
77(L) x46(W) cms Size 42
1
"ROHAN" on front
"SKIPTON GREAT BRITAIN 100% COTTON MADE IN ENGLAND" on inside label
green
Rohan
Skipton, England
Windlord was one of the many fabrics doing the rounds in the 1970’s, a time when neoprene and nylon were about to give way to Gore-tex which was just around the corner and set to create the biggest revolution in waterproof materials ever.
Paul and Sarah Howcroft created Rohan in 1972, an innovative and creative clothing company somewhat ahead of their time. No surprise then that they introduced Windlord fabric in 1976, claiming it to be the “first iceproof, windproof and breathable fabric” - no mention of waterproof!
Mountain guides, Allen Fyffe and Bob Barton, were planning a two man expedition to Kalanka in the Garwhal Himalayas in the late 1970’s and wrote to Rohan asking if they could get some free gear - they each got a Windlord jacket and salopettes.
The one we have here in the collection was Allen’s but don’t think he used it much after the Kalanka trip and it stayed in his loft for a decade or so before he handed it on to us - thanks Allen.
Donated by Allen Fyffe
25/10/2019
25/10/2019
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
25/10/2019