a new vendor, and a good experience

[Alan H]

I bought a 5-yard Scottish National kilt at the Ben Lomond games on a lark. I'd wanted a Scottish National for a while and I just splurged. The kilts they had are exactly the same as the $100 budget kilts that Clansmen Knitwear used to (they still might) offer, but we all know what Clansman Knitwears reputation is for "online service". I had an exceptional experience with this vendor: MacKinnons Quality Kilts and Accessories

WalkerK bought a "Freedom of Scotland" kilt from them at Ben Lomond as well, perhaps he'll chime in, in this post about the kilt

This kilt is a bit short for me (they all come 23' in length) and it's hemmed. The hem isn't very deep so if I dropped the hem and re-hemmed I'd only get 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch out of it...not worth it. However, the material is very substantial and the construction is very good (machine sewn) for a $100 kilt. It has two buckles...yeah the buckle hardware is stamped metal, not cast, but it keeps the thing on. I've worn it quite a lot since the games and enjoyed it. I mostly wear it a bit lower on my hips and consider it a "casual" kilt, and I'm quite happy with it. The one pic I have of with me wearing it is with a kilt jacket, and it's a bit low on the hips for that but here it is:



That's me on the right...Panache and his son, Sinbad are the other kilted dudes in the pic.

The tartans available (this is from a nice thank-you letter I got from the Southern California proprietor) in this kilt:

Black...Black Watch...Royal Stewart...MacKenzie...MacDonald...
Douglas...Heritage of Scotland...Hunting Stewart...Campbell of Argyll...MacLeod of Harris Ancient...Dress Gordon...Freedom of Scotland

This was a $100 kilt.

They also say they can get a very nice 16oz, 5 yard kilt (don't know the price) in:

Black Watch...Lyndsey...Black...Heritage of Scotland...Royal Stewart...Hunting Stewart.

Most of those tartans are generally available from many sellers of course, but a few are not. For example a decent 5-yard Lyndsey (Lindsay?) kilt might be pretty tough to come by at a budget price.

Here's the contact information:

MacKinnons Quality Kilts
1330 East Roosevelt Road
Long Beach, CA 90807

They don't have a website, but you can contact Mary Johnston, who seems to be running the West Coast end of the business at the following e-mail address: MACKILTS2006@aim.com

So Cal locals, they are apparently involved with opening a new pub somewhere in Long Beach, and she SAYS that the band "Stand Easy" with John MacLean Allan wants to be "the House Band". If that works out, I might have to find a reason to head down there sometime soon.

[Monkey@Arms]

Looking good. What material/weight do you think your kilt is?

Best regards,

Jake

[Alan H]

It's a synthetic material, but not poly-viscose a-la Marton Mills. It's a bit coarser than that. I'd say it's about 14 ounces, but it could be 16.

[Blu (Ontario)]

How is the fabric for suppleness, and swing.?

Is there a selvedge or are they hemmed?

.

[Alan H]

Swing is good, this is a substantial 5-yarder It's not a supple or as nice a feel as wool, I have to admit, but it's quite acceptable. It's lined so it's not scratchy. I get the feeling that this material won't fuzz and pill like my Stillwaters have done. On the other hand, my Stillwaters are both going on 2 years old, now.

These are EXACTLY the same kilts that Clansmen Knitwear was selling for $100 at the Campbell Games here in California last year. The CN website says they're a "poly blend" and "temporarily unavailable"....so there you go.

They're hemmed...a good job of it too, I might add.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Well, from what I can see, it's a fine looking kilt. The tartan colours come through quite nicely. The Scottish National's been up there on my list for some time.

[Alan H]

Must be fair....the sporran loops don't match the tartan at all. They didn't even try, and actually the sporran loops are cut on the bias. It's a pity, but for me isn't the end or the world, and I still wear the kilt around, no problem..

[beerbecue]

Actually Alan, I think your kilt is not too short at all.... Fits you quite well...

Just remember Thompson's advice... Better a kilt a little short than a little long.....

Why not just remove the sporran loops... None of my kilts have them, and a sporran stays in place just fine.

[The Frumious B.]

Did I understand correctly that this kilt was $100? From MacKinnons? and the kilt that you compare it to was from Clansmen which was also $100? Both of which get good
value-for-money reviews?

Seems like a fine kilt for the price and I quite like the tartan, and as a new kiltie (as yet still bifurbicated), I am still struggling over my first kilt investment and all the choices to make...which maker, tartan, price, et cetera ad confusium...

[Alan H]

The Scottish National Tartan is a beauty, for sure.

I'd have bought a Casual from USA Kilts, but this one just reached out and grabbed me in a weak moment...;)