Ex Hire kilts to buy in Scotland? Recommendations?

[gwynng]

Hi all,

I am off to the UK in a week or so and will be in Scotland 5-15 September. I am traveling with a group of friends, all of whom are interested in picking up a kilt (of course. I myself would be more interested in getting a good jacket and some decent hose, but that is another topic.)

I have been told by a fellow Xmarker that ex-hire is a great way to get a good kilt at a good price. So the question is, do any of you have any recommendations for hire shops that might have ex-hire stock for sale?

I have been looking on line and have sent out several inquiries, but thought an experienced group of kilt-men might have some collective wisdom on the subject. We will be visiting Edinburgh, Loch Lomond Area, Isle of Skye, Inverness, the Balmoral area, Auchterader, and Stirling...and of course points between.

Thanks!

[Chas]

Anderson's of Dumfries.

[Derek]

I have several ex hire cilts/kilts ... I googled a lot of kilt makers/hire shops and phoned them direct. Just did the rounds until one or two had some to offer. End of Sept to Feb/March is the best time I think for buying ex hire as the wedding season is more or less over.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[Phil]

Armstrong's in the Grassmarket here in Edinburgh always have a good selection of second hand kilts & jackets and sometimes other items.
http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/

[Adrian]

Try Houston Kiltmakers Paisley, MacGregor and MacDuff -Dumbarton Road, Glasgow (they list online..), visit the kiltshops around Edinburghs Royal mile - Geoffrey Taylor sell off ex-hire from time to time.

[KiltFitz]

Probably not the best time of year for ex-hire but as mentioned, MacGregor MacDuff and Houstons always have something. Gilt-Edged on Saltmarket in Glasgow often have ex-hire but they tend to do theirs in the form of sales, so not sure if anything will be available when you visit. A phone call wouldn't hurt.

Another source of vintage kilts and other highlandwear is Mr Ben at the Briggait in Glasgow, if you happen to be visiting. You won't see much online but they have some beautiful old kilts including old military weight tanks. Plenty brogues and tweed jackets too. Take your time and look at everything because there is no system in there, space is at a premium. The brogues are all hidden under racks of clothes. Be prepared to haggle.

I would also check out gumtree.com to see if you could arrange to purchase anything second hand while in Scotland.

[KiltFitz]

Forgot to mention that MacGregor MacDuff have a dedicated ex-hire shop on Dumbarton Road in Scotstoun, near Clydebank. Also ex-hire in fashion tartans available from Slanj: http://www.slanjkilts.com/Kilts-and-...-products.html

[gwynng]

Thanks everyone. I have compiled quite a list and have sent out a lot of inquiries, most of which have sent very kind and prompt replies. I am traveling with my partner and a couple of friends and all of them are wanting to look for a kilt. Myself, I think a good tweed jacket is more needed in my wardrobe. I've compiled my list by city and or region, so can look as we knock about the country.

Seems that there are some shops that just sell as they go along and rotate out their stock on a continual basis. A couple have said to come by and see if there is anything in stock that works and they would just work out a price based on how new the item is.

Thanks to your help, I have a good list of places to try.

[Lime]

Armstrong's in the Grassmarket here in Edinburgh always have a good selection of second hand kilts & jackets and sometimes other items.
http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/

Armstrongs is a real treasure trove but it is also worth a look in a few of the Charity shops on the Royal Mile who usually have a (smaller) selection.

I also think that Geoffrey Tailor http://www.geoffreykilts.co.uk/ (also on the Royal Mile) sell some off at particular times of the year.