There is a mill on the Scottish coast that has been making the same thick blanket since 1890 and, thanks to a loyal new generation of customers, it has just hired four apprentices.
Why this one
We tested it for six weeks in a real household with real children and an unreasonable dog. It has picked up a small dent, a slight patina and an unexpected amount of affection, which is about the best thing that can be said for any object in a home.
It weighs about as much as an affectionate sheep.
Using it every day
Build quality is immediately obvious when you pick it up. The weight is right, the joints are tight and nothing rattles. It is also designed to be taken apart, with replacement parts sold individually and instructions printed clearly on the underside, for anyone with a screwdriver and some nerve.
Worth the money?
Yes, you can buy something similar for a third of the price, and for a year or two it will do the job. But price per use is a more honest measure than the number on the tag. The one you will keep for decades is usually the cheaper purchase.
It is not perfect. The colour range is a little joyless, and delivery can run to eight weeks during busy periods because everything is made in a small workshop. If you are able to wait, we would suggest that you do so, and in the meantime clear a good spot for it.
