Nutscene: The Original Heritage Twine Manufacturer
“Established in 1922 in Dundee - historically the 'Juteopolis' of the world - Nutscene is the architect of the modern garden twine spool. Their name is a play on 'not seen,' a reference to their patented green garden twine designed to blend invisibly into foliage. Today, they remain a family-run business, still winding their famous colourful twines on the same Victorian-era machinery at their workshop in Angus.”
1. The Heritage
Nutscene’s roots are deeply entwined with the Dundee jute industry, which at its peak employed over 50,000 people. The company was the first to patent the "pull from centre" spool, an innovation that prevented tangling and revolutionized how gardeners interacted with cordage. While many British jute processors closed during the industry's mid-century crash, Nutscene survived by pivoting from industrial packaging to the domestic gardening and craft markets.
2. The Location
The company operates from Kingston Place in Forfar, Angus, a short distance from its original Dundee home. This rural workshop houses local staff who manage the entire reprocessing cycle. Every ball and spool of Nutscene twine is wound on-site using the original winding machines installed in the 1920s, ensuring a level of tension and "lock-tie" quality that modern high-speed equivalents struggle to replicate.
3. The Difference
Centre-Pull Innovation: Their unique winding method ensures the twine dispenses from the core without the spool unravelling or tangling, a hallmark feature that remains unchanged since the 1920s.
Biodegradable Credentials: Made from 100% natural jute fibres, the twine is fully compostable. Unlike synthetic strings, it breaks down naturally in the soil, preventing microplastic contamination in the garden.
Soft & Pliable Texture: The reprocessing method ensures the twine is gentle on delicate plant stems, providing support without the "cutting" or bruising often caused by wire or plastic ties.
Vegan-Friendly Production: Nutscene twines are entirely plant-based and chemical-free, avoiding the use of wool or animal-derived bonding agents.
4. The Hero Products
The Iconic Tin of Twine: A signature gift item featuring a 150m spool of 3-ply jute housed in a vintage-style tin. The lid features a specialized hole for tangle-free dispensing, keeping the twine dry and accessible.
Heritage Jute Spools (110m): Available in 22 vibrant colours, these are the professional gardener's choice. The colours are achieved using non-toxic dyes, making them safe for vegetable plots and floral arrangements.
The Candy Twist Range: A decorative, two-tone twine often used by crafters and for luxury gift wrapping, wound in Angus to the same high-tensile specifications as their garden pieces.
5. The Essentials
Accreditations: Handmade in Scotland; 100% Biodegradable & Compostable.
Product Index: Garden Twine, Craft Cord, Macramé Cord, Tin Dispensers, Raffia, Jute Sacks, Plant Labels, Gardening Gift Sets, Baker's Twine.
