Lochcarron is a company that weaves excellent tartan - unless I'm making a kilt for a dancer, I order tartan almost exclusively from them.

I'm also a piper, and I agree that it's rare to see a piper competing in anything lighter than a 16 oz kilt in either the Northeast or Canada. Our band has their kilts made at Burnett's and Struth, and they do beautiful work. (I occasionally make kilts for people in our band, but I don't do it as a general rule because it's boring to make up the same tartan over and over again, and I'm not trying to make a living as a kiltmaker!.)

I assume from your screen name that you're in Canada, and there's always an advantage to ordering "in-country". You might also consider Tartantown in BC - they have a terrific reputation in the piping and dancing community. Terry Lee (Pipe Major of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band) is the manager of Tartantown. The URL is http://www.tartantown.com

Be sure to post pictures when you get your kilt - preferably one of you piping! How long have you been at it?

Cheers!

Barb