The Woolenmill...anyone ever?

[Hamish]

I was in the shop a few weeks ago. It appears to have changed ownership since the last time I was in it and they were no longer carrying such an extensive range of kilt-related goodies. I have no idea who the owners are other than that I had my suspicions they may possibly have links to the Gold Bros mentioned elsewhere on this site. Most of the stock they carry is rugs, scarves that kind of thing. They looked at me pretty blankly when I asked if they sold Balmorals.

Phil, that was precisely the impression I gained when in there several years ago but Trefor assured us that they had a very good Highland dress-orientated area at the back of the shop. On the strength of his comments, I have been keeping an occasional eye on their website and have, at last, succumbed to the temptation of ordering a day to day 'knock-about' kilt from them - the MacMillan. I placed my order two weeks ago and quickly received a 'phone call from them advising me that my size was currently out of stock. They could make one for me at no extra charge but it would be the end of October before it would be ready. To this I agreed, but I wonder if I am in fact just waiting for a new batch of stock to come in!!

As far as a connection with the Gold Brothers is concerned: I do not think so. The Woollen Mill shop belongs to Marchbrae Clothing whose less expensive kilts are made in Scotland from 100% wool.

Additionally, they have no connection with the nation-wide chain of High Street shops trading as The Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

Take care,
Ham.

[Phil]

They did have quite a good highlandwear section and I have bought one or two things there in the past. The reason I thought it had changed hands is that all the staff now obviously hail from the sub-continent. They did seem a cut above the general run of Gold Bros staff and I didn't get the impression there was any of the cheap and nasty tat those people are selling.

[Spc. Scott]

Wonder how far you are from Barb Tewksbury? Why not go direct with the kiltmaker? Or are you looking for inexpensive kilts?

Ron

Not too far from Barb at all. I do plan on talking to her in the near future as well. I was just gathering information about a few places that I hadn't heard anything about for a trip I hope to take in the not so distant future.

And as far as inexpensive goes...well once you tack on the shipping and tariffs you may as well stay local. Or at least stateside.

Thanks again to everyone for the help. You guys are the best.

[Stewart Rendall]

The reason I thought it had changed hands is that all the staff now obviously hail from the sub-continent.

I made kilts for the Woolen Mill many years back. They still have the same (Indian) owners they have always done. Absolutely nothing to do with the Gold Bros. They would be upset at the mere suggestion I'm sure.
Yes, their kilts are ordered from another (Scottish) supplier, but I don't believe they sell any tat.
They're one of the decent, long established quality companies in Edinburgh.

Hope that clears it up.

[Aldisimo]

Checking around, I think I've found that Woollen Mill/Marchbrae still has the best bargain on a wool IOS. I'd swear I've seen IOS flashes on their site before but can't find them now, so I've written to ask whether such are available.

While waiting for an answer, I'm checking between the sofa cushions, in the backs of drawers, in trinket boxes and car seats, and through the pockets of coats that haven't been worn since I moved to the Sun Belt--looking for loose change ...

[ForresterModern]

I was in there last summer, and although they do have a rather replete Highland area in the upper rear of the store most of their stuff out front was cashmere and other wool sweaters, scarves, etc.. I did pick up a couple pair of nice clearence kilt hose---solid navy and solid black, each with a slightly different tartan knit turnover top--for a song. Some touristy tat but not much considering the size of the store, and the attendants were very----well---attendant. Helpful in finding sizes, colors, checking stock, etc.. Never pressured to buy something I wasn't interested in.

[CDNSushi]

Has anyone here dealt with The Woolenmill before?
I didn't happen to find anything in a search on here so I thought I'd start a new thread.

Just to chime in here. You may indeed not have gotten much with "Woolenmill" as a search term. The key I think is to search for "Marchbrae." You'll find that numerous XMTS members have purchased stuff from them, I being one of them.

I wrote a review in this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/k...1/index2.html?

And made references to the review thread that preceded mine, written by Chef: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/r...x.html?t=35234

In addition, Hamish's Kilts #91 & 92 thread (see kilt #92) comes from Woolenmill/Marchbrae as well. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/o...ight=marchbrae

Hope that helps. To echo the sentiments of others, they provide a quality, authentic product... They are out of Edinburgh and dealing with them is very pleasant. I only hope that they take my suggestions to heart (regarding offering a choice of shipping methods on international orders, instead of forcing you to accept UPS -- who will bvgger you on the import duty).