There's been several threads that have discussed fabric from mills other than the big three: Lochcarron, House of Edgar, and Strathmore, but it seems most folks hadn't had any interaction with either Batley or Marton Mills. I decided to take a chance and order enough tartan in a couple different setts to either 1) Have Matt Newsome make some box-pleats out of them or 2) try my hand at making some myself when the new "Art of Kiltmaking" comes out.

I ordered three tartans: Lennox, Lochaber, and Cairngorm, from Kiltstore.net and they arrived today. The prices were very reasonable for the doublewidth, heavyweight wool fabric and I am pleased with them. The Lochaber was advertised as "weathered" but turned out to be in the ancient color scheme- there wasn't a picture for that particular sett on the website, so I knowingly took a chance when ordering. Even though it wasn't what I anticipated, it's a gorgeous tartan and has a sett width of 13.25 inches!!! Either really big box pleats or perhaps pleat half-setts. The Lennox is really nice and one of the older setts that can be dated. These two tartans came from Marton Mills.

The Cairngorm tartan was from Batley Mills and seems to be a more recent trade/district tartan. I just liked the colors of it. Even though it is a recent design, it had the look of an older tartan and is in nice muted colors.

Both mills seem to produce a fabric that is well-woven and attractive. It's approximately the same weight as my Lochcarron 16oz kilts, although it seems to be a bit less "hairy" and is woven a little more tightly. The selvedge is a little more noticeable, but not unattractive. I think my top choice is still D.C. Dalgleish's heavyweight tartans, but these two mills, for the price, produce a good product in some tartans that aren't available from the big three. I'll be glad to wear them in a kilt.

You can see pics at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/davidlewispope

Cordially,
David