Tartan Gift Shop closing

[Galician]

Sorry, meant that humorously on account of Sweden's high tax rates.

My turn to be sorry, so did I.

As to your other point, ARE there larger shops? It seems that the quality kiltmakers are, to a degree, still Mom-and-Pop operations, even when they're as big as GT/TFCK. I think that the real loss people here are lamenting is that each closing represents the loss of a talented practioner of the art of kiltmaking.

[Scotus]

I hope I didn't give the impression that a lot of these small kilt places are closing. I wouldn't say this is necessarily the case. I think many kilt makers are doing quite well, since there is a demand for good, traditional kilts. I only brought this case up because I got my very first kilt and sporran from this shop, I've spoken with Graeme a couple of times when visiting, and was sorry to see his kilt shop will no longer be around the next time I go to Edinburgh. I just don't think we should assume that there is a rash of kilt shop closings, unless someone knows something I don't. His was a small shop (with wonderful kilts, BTW), on a very busy street, with lots of shops selling not-so-wonderful items.

The reason I found out this information is because I was going to suggest to the person in this section of the forum, who is looking for a Black Watch 8 yd. in the U.K., go to him. When I went to search for the address... alas.... I found that article.

[Chef]

I hope I didn't give the impression that a lot of these small kilt places are closing. I wouldn't say this is necessarily the case.

Actually I would say that was the case. When I was growing up in Edinburgh there were wonderful kiltmakers and other artisan shops on the Royal Mile. Also plenty of little shops selling gifts to the tourists...but not selling the cr*p that is being sold now. Most of those have been killed off or sold because of pressure from the Tartan Tat crowd.

The ones who are able to survive are the ones like GT/TFCK, the ones with an international reputation. In other words they are a destination. The smaller shops that still need the impulse tourist sales are suffering. In part because of misleading labels on the part of the sellers and also I part because of the fact that the buyers don't care.

I refuse to do business with any of the Tartan Tat set. I have two kilts that are not tanks but they came from small sellers like Jerry at SWK who in no way are trying to mislead their customers.