While we are on the subject of Arran Sweaters, The history of this form of dress again dates back to the sixties when Folk Clubs were springing up all around the UK. Every town and village had its own folk club and the English Folk Dance and Song Society declared that each and every club should wear a form of uniform (Rather like the Scouts)which would be an Arran Sweater. Not any old Arran sweater would do however, every club had to develop a patern which only their members were allowed to wear. This was very handy for the police forces around the country because when they picked a drunk up from the gutter they knew by the patern of his or her sweater exactly where he had come from.
Cheers Bill