Kilt shops in Edinburgh - suggestions?

**BruceBC** · 10th June 08, 09:50 PM

I am off at the end of the month for a three visit to Edinburgh and while there may look for my second kilt. Any thoughts on the various kilt shops in the City?

I have only had my Bear kilt for over a week (I love it) and already i am dreaming of adding a wool kilt to the collection.

thanks

Bruce

**highlander_Daz** · 11th June 08, 01:22 AM

Id suggest a visit to Armstrongs, a lot of second hand Highlandwear in excelent condition (and not so excelent) some fantastic things in there.

youl find all the ones on the royal mile are "top whack" Geoffrys is good but again "top whack"

http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/ this place is awesome

**McClef** · 11th June 08, 02:54 AM

I take it you are looking for quality rather than Gold Bros!

Besides GT you can also find Hector Russell, Celtic Craft Centre and St Kilda (Nicholson Kilts) on the Royal Mile. Hector Russell also have a shop on Princes St.

**Phil** · 11th June 08, 08:54 AM

It depends on what you are looking for. I would go along with Highlander Daz if you want to walk out of the shop with a kilt. Armstrongs in the Grassmarket have lots of second-hand kilts (mostly ex-rental) and you should get something to fit although you may not get the tartan of your choice. Their prices are £60 upwards (I think) They also do lots of jackets for around £150. They are all "proper" kilts not the cheap & nasty stuff in the "Heritage of Scotland"/"Pride of Scotland" shops (they can be recognised by the turban-wearing staff). If you want to get properly measured and choose a particular tartan for a top class, perfectly fitting kilt that will take 6-8 weeks to make then I can only recommend Stuart Christie in Queen Street who will charge around £400.
There are still a few genuine kiltmakers on the Royal Mile and McClef's suggestions would also be mine although I have never bought a kilt from any of them but Hamish speaks highly of GT. The "Edinburgh Woolen Mill" now seems to be owned by more of our friends from the Indian sub-continent so I would carry on walking past.

**McClef** · 11th June 08, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Phil

There are still a few genuine kiltmakers on the Royal Mile and McClef's suggestions would also be mine although I have never bought a kilt from any of them but Hamish speaks highly of GT.

I have kilts from all the shops I have recommended oh and there is also the Woolen Mill on the corner of Cockburn St and High St which offers off the peg at decent prices - I have only bought from then online but they supplied my "MacMillan" and several X Markers have been happy with their Isle of Skye.

**starbkjrus** · 11th June 08, 10:42 AM

Also (if they have reopened after last summer's fire) I'd recommend Romaines & Patterson on Princes Street. I was impressed with the folks there.

**Redshank** · 11th June 08, 02:43 PM

looking for quality hand made kilts at an affordable price, you would be hard pressed to beat X Marks own http://www.rendallsofedinburgh.com/

Forget the rest, Rendalls the best

**pdcorlis** · 11th June 08, 03:25 PM

There's quite a bit of tat on the Royal Mile these days - thanks to the Gold Bros. but I don't think you'll have any trouble telling the quality vendors from... well... the junk dealers.

Good luck on your adventure!

**Colin** · 12th June 08, 08:35 AM

Bruce, if the label on the Kilt says "kilt with a knotwork design around it, don't buy it. If the shop sells kilts for under 50 pounds...walk past. If it has anything to do with the Gold Brothers.........well, you get the hint.

There is a lot of touristy type kilts that are barely fit for hanging on a wall never mind wearing. Some of the people that are regulars in Edinburgh should be able to direct you to the quality shops and away from the tat.

Have a great time. It's a very cool city with lots to offer.

**Ayin McFye** · 12th June 08, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

Bruce, if the label on the Kilt says "kilt with a knotwork design around it, don't buy it. If the shop sells kilts for under 50 pounds...walk past. If it has anything to do with the Gold Brothers.........well, you get the hint.

There is a lot of touristy type kilts that are barely fit for hanging on a wall never mind wearing. Some of the people that are regulars in Edinburgh should be able to direct you to the quality shops and away from the tat.

Have a great time. It's a very cool city with lots to offer.

Agreed. To further add to this if the label says "designed in scotland" doesn't mean that it was made in scotland.