I need advice for a kilt repair

**McMurdo** · 18th December 06, 04:11 AM

Hi all
I would like some advice if possible

I have a Gunn modern kilt made by A&J Scott Co. of Aberdeen, (Now Alex Scott and Co.) it was handed down to me by my father. The problem is that it is at least 50 years old, and thus the straps have seen better days, also the buckle on the right side is broken and needs replaced, the left side is fine. The buckles on the kilt are a different style than those I have found offered today, my buckles are a double prong whereas any that I have found these days are of the single prong variety.

I would like to put the double prong style buckle back on the right side and leave the left side alone if possible, but I was wondering what you think, should I hold out and try to find a double prong buckle or do you think I would be further ahead getting the single?

I have sent an email to Alex Scott and Co. to see if they even offer the old style buckle.

Thanks in advance for your input.

**sjrapid** · 18th December 06, 05:49 AM

Alex Scott are indeed still very much in business, (now trading as Alex Scott & Co (Kiltmakers) Limited, and on-line at www.kiltmakers.co.uk) and I'm collecting a new kilt from them on Friday.

I've found that Alex Scott are great on the phone, and great in person, but can take more than a wee while to answer e-mails.

Rather than depend on e-mail, I'd telephone them (01224 643924), and ask to speak to Margot Brodie their master kiltmaker, or else speak to David in the Kilt Dept, who I've always found very helpful.

Googling gives a few sites out there who do twin prong buckles, but I'd think that probably your best option would be to replace (or have a kiltmaker replace) all the buckles and leather straps with new. That way the look would be the same on each side, and the straps would be good for another 50 years or so...

Best regards

**Nanook** · 18th December 06, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

my buckles are a double prong whereas any that I have found these days are of the single prong variety.

Double prongs for kilts are still alive and jabbing. Its used on regimental kilts. Any "MOD" kiltmaker should have them. This includes Argyll Ltd (which is the current supplier to the RRS) and nearly all the household names.

I have sent an email to Alex Scott and Co. to see if they even offer the old style buckle.

I'm sure they do!

**McMurdo** · 18th December 06, 07:07 AM

Tanks for your input
I will look into Argyll Ltd.

I have got an email back from Alex Scott, here is what they say:

Hello,
I have spoken to the kiltmaker and she has asked me if it would be possible
for you to bring the kilt in so she can have a look at the style of buckles
on the kilt? She is not certain if the kilt was made by us because she does
not use double pronged buckles, but she can only be certain if she sees
the kilt.

Best regards,

David McFarlane
E-Commerce.
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As I live in Canada I cant really take the kilt in, but what a reason to go to the Old Country, now if I could only convince the other half.

**Nanook** · 18th December 06, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I have spoken to the kiltmaker and she has asked me if it would be possible
for you to bring the kilt in so she can have a look at the style of buckles
on the kilt? She is not certain if the kilt was made by us because she does
not use double pronged buckles

She must be quite old if she goes back over 1/2 century making kilts.

**McMurdo** · 18th December 06, 09:50 AM

Well I dont think she was doing it back when mine was made, however here is her profile

http://www.kiltmakers.co.uk/about_us_kiltmaking.html

**O'Neille** · 18th December 06, 10:20 AM

I've got the MOD blackened brass pointy double prong buckles on my Gordon Regimental kilt. My leather has seen better days too. I may spend sometime during my break and replace them. I saw a box of those buckles once at a surplus store in Washington State but that was before I knew what they were.

**McMurdo** · 18th December 06, 11:02 AM

I found some replacement straps and buckles on ebay, as well as extention straps, they are only a single prong buckle but I may get them anyway. I really want to fix the old kilt.

I have been looking for a while, and I still can't find the double prong.

**sjrapid** · 18th December 06, 11:37 AM

Good luck with the hunt for buckles.

Best regards

**McMurdo** · 19th December 06, 08:14 AM

Well I did not find the exact same buckle but I got it fixed, for now anyway. What I did was go across to the second hand shop and bought a child's belt for $2 then came home, cut it to size cut the buckle off of it and sewed the whole thing onto the kilt, I will most likely get it fixed properly later, but for now it's a workable solution.

Thanks again to those who posted