Quote Originally Posted by OC Richard View Post
An example in Highland Dress: I still wear, from time to time, my Ghillie Brogues that I bought in the 1980s. They've been re-soled many times and the uppers are a bit worn-looking and they're not quite as comfortable as they once were. Yet I'm wearing them now because once again a pair of modern Ghillies with moulded cemented soles have fallen apart. It happens at every Highland Games! A piper or drummer has the soles of one of his Ghillies just fall off.

So as of late I've done some digging around for Ghillies made like traditional shoes with leather soles that are stitched on and can be repaired and re-soled.

I found a Scottish maker still making these in my size. He only does wholesale. He only lists one North American stockist. I contacted this stockist and discovered that the stockist only carries the lower-priced moulded cemented-sole Ghillies from that maker. I emailed the maker asking where I can purchase his higher-end Brogues. I have got no response.

Thistle makes traditional-sole Ghillies but not in my size. In larger sizes they only make their cheaper moulded cemented-sole Ghillies.

People have talked about Loake but they don't list Ghillie Brogues big enough.

So I may be forced to buy yet another pair of cheap Ghilllies the soles of which will fall off in a year or two.
If you don't mind my asking, Richard, what size shoe do you wear? I see several Scottish makers offering ghillie brogues with Goodyear welted construction up to size 14US (13UK). And bespoke options with high-quality construction.