British Cashmere: The Scottish Knitwear the Royals Layer Up In

As the first cool edge of autumn creeps into the British air, the royal wardrobe reaches for its most quietly luxurious layer: cashmere. Soft, warm and endlessly elegant, a good cashmere jumper is the backbone of understated country dressing, and the very finest of it comes not from Italy but from the mills of Scotland.

British cashmere is one of the country’s great, under-sung luxuries. Spun and knitted in Scottish mills that have perfected the craft over centuries, it is the knitwear the royals layer beneath a wax jacket at Balmoral or wear alone for an autumn walkabout. Buy well, and a single jumper will last decades: the very definition of the buy-once philosophy the royals favour.

Here are the British cashmere names to know, and how to choose a jumper for life.

Johnstons of Elgin: cashmere by royal warrant

The great name in British cashmere is Johnstons of Elgin, experts in the world’s finest fibres since 1797. From its own mills in the Scottish Highlands, Johnstons has spun cashmere and fine wool for well over two centuries, and it holds a Royal Warrant to King Charles III (granted while he was Prince of Wales) for the supply of estate tweeds.

That royal connection is well earned. Johnstons is one of very few brands to control the whole process from fibre to finished piece in its own Scottish mills, and its cashmere scarves, stoles and knitwear are a byword for lasting quality. A Johnstons piece is heritage you can wrap around your neck.

Brora and the Scottish tradition

For colourful, characterful Scottish cashmere, Brora is the name to know. The British brand built its reputation on beautifully-dyed cashmere knits in a spectrum of rich colours, made in Scotland in the great tradition: the sort of jumper that becomes a wardrobe favourite for years.

Brora sits alongside a proud roll of Scottish and British knitwear houses, from Pringle of Scotland to N.Peal, all drawing on the same centuries-old expertise. What unites them is provenance: real cashmere, spun and knitted in Britain, made to be kept rather than replaced.

Why the royals love cashmere

Cashmere suits the royal wardrobe perfectly. It is warm without bulk, elegant without effort, and endlessly practical for a life spent moving between draughty castles and windswept hills. A fine-gauge jumper layers neatly under a coat; a chunky knit stands alone on a country weekend; a stole adds warmth to an evening without fuss.

Above all, it lasts. Good cashmere, properly cared for, softens and improves with age rather than wearing out. That is exactly why the royals, who prize quality over novelty, return to it season after season.

How to buy cashmere that lasts

Choosing cashmere well is an art worth learning. Look for a good weight (two-ply or heavier for a jumper that will hold its shape) and a tight, even knit. Run your hand over it: quality cashmere feels dense and smooth, not thin or fluffy. British and Scottish mills such as Johnstons of Elgin are a safe bet for genuine, long-lasting quality.

Stick to classic colours (navy, camel, grey, forest green) that will never date, and care for your knits properly: fold rather than hang, wash gently, and store with cedar against moths. Treated well, a good British cashmere jumper is a piece you will wear for twenty years.

Why British cashmere endures

British cashmere endures because it is the opposite of fast fashion: made slowly, in Scottish mills with centuries of expertise, from the finest fibres, to last a lifetime. It is quiet luxury in its purest form: no logo, no fuss, just exceptional quality you feel the moment you put it on.

That is its enduring appeal, and why the royals reach for it every autumn. Browse more of our Royal Style & Fashion stories to keep building a wardrobe that lasts.

Frequently asked questions

What cashmere do the royals wear?

The royal family favours fine British and Scottish cashmere. Johnstons of Elgin, which holds a Royal Warrant to King Charles III and has spun cashmere in its Scottish mills since 1797, is among the most distinguished names, alongside brands such as Brora.

Is Scottish cashmere the best?

Scottish mills are world-renowned for cashmere, drawing on centuries of expertise and often controlling the whole process from fibre to finished piece. Names such as Johnstons of Elgin are considered among the finest producers in the world.

Does Johnstons of Elgin have a royal warrant?

Yes. Johnstons of Elgin holds a Royal Warrant to King Charles III, granted while he was Prince of Wales, for the supply of estate tweeds. The company has made cashmere and fine wool in its Scottish mills since 1797.

How do I choose good cashmere?

Look for a good weight (two-ply or heavier), a tight, even knit and a dense, smooth feel rather than a thin or fluffy one. Buy from established British or Scottish mills, choose classic colours, and care for it properly to last for years.

How do I care for cashmere?

Fold rather than hang your cashmere to keep its shape, wash it gently by hand or on a wool cycle, and store it with cedar to deter moths. Cared for well, quality cashmere softens and improves with age.

Brands and warrant holdings are described as of 2026; for the definitive warrant list, see royalwarrant.org.