A beautiful new Kilt.

**OC Richard** · 6th July 13, 04:58 AM

Bravo indeed, that is a gorgeous kilt!

I really, really like that tartan. It's like Isle of Skye in that it somehow simultaneously 1) has a distinct look and 2) has an "old" or "traditional" feel to it. A tartan they might have woven in the 18th century, but didn't.

In general I prefer pleating to the stripe, but I think you're quite right about this tartan. When I imagine what it would look like pleated to the pink line, or the blue line, it looks weak. It might look good pleated to that fat blue stripe, but it violates 'proper' pleating principles, as I understand them. (The way I had my Isle of Skye violated these principles but I did it anyway.)

About your struggles to acquire that fabric, it's fairly typical, unfortunately, and reminds me when an old friend decided to open a Highland Outfitter shop. He had owned a car repair business here (in California) for many years and had got used to the way that business operates. When he needed something he called his supplier. The supplier would ship it out in time to make that day's overnight. The next morning the supplier would phone HIM and ask him if he had received the part. If not, the supplier would overnight another, no questions, no charge. In other words, he would receive whatever he had ordered in less than 24 hours.

Well now, then he decides to open a Highland Outfitter and starts ordering things from various Scottish companies, several of the leading names in tartan, sporrans, bagpipes, etc. It was quite a shock. Keep in mind this is back in the 1980s and things are done over the phone and through the post. This guy would send an order to a major Scottish firm, with full payment in British Pounds, and wait and wait. He would call from time to time and get all sorts of excuses. Certain excuses seemed to crop up repeatedly from various firms, his favourite being the "Canadian postal strike" one (odd because none of the things he received from Scotland were routed through Canada but came direct). At times he was lied to, the firms telling him they were out of stock of something while they were supplying the same thing to other retailers promptly. No he was not a grouch or difficult to deal with, he was a very friendly guy who dealt with everyone honestly. Anyhow he got used to waiting at least six months for anything.

**English Bloke** · 6th July 13, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

... Anyhow he got used to waiting at least six months for anything...

I'm with you there. It seems we British are not as focused on service as North Americans.

**Riverkilt** · 6th July 13, 08:52 AM

'tis a beautiful tartan for sure. Welcome to the small fraternity of Dutch Friendship Tartan kilt owners. The tartan is more beautiful than the lens can capture and the monitor can display. I love hiking the tourist trails in mine and every now and then meet Dutch tourists and I get to explain the tartan to them.

I found this pair of crossed flags on the Internet and added them to my kilt pin for the Dutch Friendship tartan.

You'll find yourself choosing to wear that tartan often. Enjoy.

**McClef** · 6th July 13, 10:12 AM

Lovely Dutch tartan and what a great choice of pin too given the accession of Willem Alexander to the throne of the Netherlands.

Might also get you a few quid off on tickets to André Rieu concerts!

**rsvpiper** · 6th July 13, 10:24 AM

Tidy John very tidy

**guardsman** · 6th July 13, 11:28 AM

Got to meet you oneday , 35kilts! Yer a maniac

**Stan** · 6th July 13, 12:33 PM

As of my last delivery, I've now ordered 5 hand made wool kilts, and have come to feel, and think that the wait is part of the process. And a part to be enjoyed. At the moment I don't have a kilt on order, but the next MacGregor tartan that I want (red & black, also known as Rob Roy) will take about 13 +weeks to deliver, and while I'm really looking for having that "next kilt" I'm also looking forward to watching the weeks click off while I anticipate its delivery.

I visualize the waiting period from order to deliver, as part of the "birth of a kilt"... I like all aspects of the process.

**English Bloke** · 6th July 13, 02:04 PM

I agree Stan, I can tolerate and even enjoy the wait while a kilt is being made up. But when there is no fabric to weave and all you are waiting for is someone to get around to taking the correct fabric off a shelf, cutting it to the right length and sticking it in the post... Takes the edge off the enjoyment a bit.

Edit: Anyway. 'tis done now so I'm very happy with the finished article.

**Downunder Kilt** · 6th July 13, 02:56 PM

EB, good to see you back here posting again old bean.

**Stan** · 6th July 13, 03:36 PM

I've always been told that they were waiting on the mill to make another run. But now that you mention it, that may be (sometimes) only partially true.

Now that I "have knowledge", the next time I'm waiting (patiently) for a new kilt, I'm going to try to "un-bite the apple" (if there is such a thing..LOL).... and (try to) think that the making of my kilt is so special, that it takes "all that time" just to make something that I'll be happy with.......LOL...