Kilt Sellers and Makers, New England

**PiperGirl** · 22nd June 13, 11:51 AM

Hi All,
I'm new to this forum but have read a lot of great advice. Wondering if any of you have ever worked with the folks at Heather and Thistle in New Hampshire (Keene). I spoke with the proprietor and he was riot. Still with a nice brogue reminded me of my grandfather. I feel like he is the genuine article but wanted to know if anyone has ever purchased a kilt from him and were you happy with the quality/etc? I am looking to buy my first kilt as well as accessories (belt, piper socks, gillie's, fly plaid); so it's going to be an investement...I really liked him so hoping he is good...look forward to meeting him

Thanks!

**unixken** · 22nd June 13, 05:29 PM

I can't speak to the folks at Heather and Thistle, but you can always check with the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums (the Boston Police Department's bagpipe band), to see who they use/recommend. Could turn out to be someone local to New England. Here's the contact page with an email address you could reach out to... http://www.bostonpolicegaeliccolumn..../contactus.htm

**PiperGirl** · 22nd June 13, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by unixken

I can't speak to the folks at Heather and Thistle, but you can always check with the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums (the Boston Police Department's bagpipe band), to see who they use/recommend. Could turn out to be someone local to New England. Here's the contact page with an email address you could reach out to... http://www.bostonpolicegaeliccolumn..../contactus.htm

Thanks Ken
Will check it out!

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 22nd June 13, 06:35 PM

You might check if he makes them himself or if he sends them out and if so, where. Or he might be retailing for one of the importers. Some shops do so.

**PiperGirl** · 22nd June 13, 06:38 PM

Thanks, will look into the Boston police option.

He said that contracts with Scottish shops, everything he gets is from Scotland. He does the measurements and gets the material from Scotland. I guess I could ask which kiltmaker??

I appreciate the replies!
PiperGirl

**Piobair** · 22nd June 13, 08:34 PM

Hey Heather,

I lived in Boston for about 12 years and played with and instructed several bands during that time. I'm not familiar w/ Heather and Thistle... You might want to find out who makes their kilts, as I haven't heard of them supplying many players I know. Doesn't mean anything, just not a vendor I'm not familiar with and wasn't aware they were making their own kilts.

I guess one question I have is what you're looking to get kitted out for. Sounds like you're not in a band. Not a bad place to start in terms of getting some instruction and a uniform. If you just want to play some solo gigs, a pair of hose, a decent sporran, kilt, belt (or waistcoat) and jacket should serve you well. Start simple before wading into plaids and the like. I like Geoffrey jackets and vests, but the Piper flex jacket sold by the reinvented Henderson/Hardie (and manufactured by St Kilda I think?) look pretty good. Many, many pipers also use J. Higgins for their entire kit - great prices and very easy to deal with.

In my experience, a lot of bands in the Boston area use Geoffrey (Tailor), Burnett and Struth, and Higgins, as they can handle high volume. Since you only need to worry about yourself, there are a lot of options in the Northeast. I just ordered a kilt from Bonnie Heather Greene, but there are a couple of boutiqie kilt makers in the northeast who can help you out.

Anyway - sorry for the long answer. You're in the right place for advice. Good luck!

**cable scot** · 22nd June 13, 09:35 PM

Bonnie Greene,USA Kilts.

**TheOfficialBren** · 23rd June 13, 12:01 AM

!!

USA Kilts. Rocky and the gang make some outstanding and affordable kilts with top-notch customer service to boot.

**tulloch** · 23rd June 13, 04:56 AM

My neighbor in Gardner MA makes good kilts and other uniform stuff for the State Police band. Bonnie Heather is great based on what I have seen and heard here, Matt Newsome is awesome but not in the area, Patti Smith is great, (not the musician but I like her too), and our treasure Barb Tewksbury is pretty close and for the price of one of those trans-Atlantic jobs could set you up with a gem.

**PiperGirl** · 23rd June 13, 05:36 AM

Thanks for your well thought out reply! I guess I should say for my user name PipeLady (since I am married, work full time and have several other hobbies that take a good deal of time)

Yes, just looking for myself at the moment. Unfortunately, I don't have time to commit to a band, but am serious about playing and have an instructor.

For the kilt, I wanted to be sure the material was authentic and made by a quality kilt maker (perhaps I assumed they had to be from Scotland, but it sounds like there are a lot of good makers here in USA). I'd like to have a quality kilt for a long time and in the tartan of my clan (Campbell, which is also as everyone on this site knows is BlackWatch). So pretty standard tartan, I want to wear when playing for family and friends and when attending Highland games. Some day (at least 2 years from now) my goal would be to play solo gigs (but still more for family/friend events), but I am realistic and I am far from that point. I am not looking for the cheapest kilt, but the best quality for a fair price.

I guess I like the idea of meeting your tailor even if he sends the measurements to the kiltmaker. It just seems the right thing to do, but from what I gather most folks order online without a hitch...it's such an investment I want to get it right the first time.

I will check out the sites you listed and talk with my teacher again. He hadn't heard of Heather and Thistle either which was a concern. Sorry for my long winded reply!