Carse of Gowrie/ Melville Kilts

**Gunnar** · 12th August 08, 01:07 PM

Hi there.
I have a great interest in Scottish history and therefore would like to purchase a traditional Scottish outfit : the kilt, jacket, plaid and the whole package. I found a shop at ebay called Carse of Gowrie. Now, before I buy from them, I would like to ask if anyone of you had any expirience with this shop? Or the tartan manufacturer Mellville Kilts? It says in the describtion that the kilt is teflon coated and has mixed fibres. Has the teflon coating anything to do with the kilt's look or it's touch?
And if the kilt is made of mixed fibers, is the quality not as good as the wool ones?

P.S: I'm buying a Colquhoun kilt, and I would like to get your oppinion on wich tartan looks the best:

THE ANCIENT: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HANDMADE-ANCIE...713.m153.l1262

OR THE MODERN: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HANDMADE-MODER...713.m153.l1262

Thanks in advance, Gunnar

**auld argonian** · 12th August 08, 01:31 PM

The mention of the teflon coating makes me stop and think.

I'd try to get more of an idea of exactly what the fabric is. The fact that it's teflon coated sounds very much like it's a synthetic and Poly Viscose from Marton Mills is a synthetic that's teflon coated...Poly Viscose is a great fabric and is, for some, the best second choice after worsted wool. If it is the case that it is Poly Viscose, you might then think about shopping around...both USA Kilts and Canadian Casual Kilts specialize in Poly Viscose and there are many other kiltmakers that can make you a kilt from that material...Tartanweb/Scottishkilts.net being one of them...and you might find that you'll get a somewhat better price.

£199 Pounds translated to about $380 US dollars at today's exchange rate and when you're getting into that price range you're very close to the price of a worsted wool kilt. Thus, I'd be very sure that I found out exactly what the fabric is before ordering...you might be ordering the Poly Viscous but could spend a little more and get the wool.

If you do a search of the forum using the term "Poly Viscous" or "PV", you'll see some of the discussion bout the relative merits of that fabric and wool.

Best

AA

**McClef** · 12th August 08, 01:39 PM

I have 3 of their kilts (and countless pins and flashes) from them.

The kilts are lighter weight than wool but hang well and feel very comfortable. They are hand sewn in Scotland and come with basting stitches but I am not sure from where they source their material. Of course they are of a standard length and can only average the seat according to the waist size but I have been very happy with their goods and the quality of their service and they are a good budget compromise.

**Rex_Tremende** · 12th August 08, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Gunnar

P.S: I'm buying a Colquhoun kilt, and I would like to get your oppinion on wich tartan looks the best:

Both tartans are equally nice. I say get one of each, or decide whether you prefer greens or muted blues.

And welcome to the rabble.

Regards,
Rex.

**RockyR** · 12th August 08, 03:18 PM

That whole list of tartans listed on their site is of 11 OZ PV tartans from Marton Mills "Stock List". ALSO, the "teflon coating" is what Marton Mills does to all their material, which is FURTHER evidence it's not wool. ALSO, they don't ever SAY what the material is, which leads me to believe it's not wool. If it IS MM PV, it's great material (we use it DAILY) but it's NOT 14 oz fabric. Some of the tatans are slightly heavier than others, but they all fall in the 11 to 12 oz category. To say they're 14 oz is "stretching the truth" to say the least.

Maybe they have their finger on the scale when weighing the fabric? LOL

Please note: I'm not KNOCKING the kiltmakers' ability or quality or anything like that. I'm not knocking their choice of fabric because I use MM PV Fabric DAILY. I only question their marketing practices.

**Nighthawk** · 12th August 08, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

That whole list of tartans listed on their site is of 11 OZ PV tartans from Marton Mills "Stock List". ALSO, the "teflon coating" is what Marton Mills does to all their material, which is FURTHER evidence it's not wool. ALSO, they don't ever SAY what the material is, which leads me to believe it's not wool. If it IS MM PV, it's great material (we use it DAILY) but it's NOT 14 oz fabric. Some of the tatans are slightly heavier than others, but they all fall in the 11 to 12 oz category. To say they're 14 oz is "stretching the truth" to say the least.

Maybe they have their finger on the scale when weighing the fabric? LOL

Please note: I'm not KNOCKING the kiltmakers' ability or quality or anything like that. I'm not knocking their choice of fabric because I use MM PV Fabric DAILY. I only question their marketing practices.

Since you're new here, Gunnar, I will give the only piece of advice you will ever need- Listen to Rocky. I'll repeat that- listen to Rocky! The guy is awesome and knows his stuff.

***Edit- Looking more closely at their eBay store, I think I will stick with USA Kilts. Same material, I know the maker, and the maker is domestic for me. Support the home team!***

So that being said, if you end up getting a C of G kilt, please post a review! I have been thinking about one from them myself.

**Freelancer** · 12th August 08, 04:16 PM

Welcome to the site from Long Island, NY. As far as your tartan choice, I'd go for the Ancient.

**Dundee** · 12th August 08, 04:35 PM

Welcome to the site from the Sunny South. I like the ancient.

**Monkey@Arms** · 12th August 08, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

Support the home team!***

So that being said, if you end up getting a C of G kilt, please post a review! I have been thinking about one from them myself.

Lets not overlook that Gunnar says he lives in Iceland. It may not suit his need to order a kilt from the USA. He also did not solict advice about other kilt makers.

Best regards

**Gunnar** · 12th August 08, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the comments and for the warm welcome.
The tariff here in Iceland is almost 50% so i definetly won't be sending it to Iceland. I have an aunt in Florida and I hope that the tariff isn't as much in the US. So the sending won't be a problem.
I'm really thinking of going with this kilt ( but I'm not really sure wether to go for the ancient or the modern) but as far as the other products I also ment to ask. Has any of you bought a Prince Charlie Jacket from them or perhaps a fly plaid?

Do the regular teflon coated kilts have that cheap plastic-y feel? I'm going for look and quality so the price doesn't really metter.

Thanks in advance, Gunnar