Even though I'm going to talk about me, it doesn't count as a highjacking----because, as we all know, it really is all about me.

Way to go, Beekeeper! I wish I had possessed the insight to start off with a properly tailored, sixteen ounce wool kilt! I started off with a Utilikilt, convinced that it was a "product improved" kilt. As I've learned more, I've drifted steadily traditionwards, from that first Utilikilt through tailored PV kilts (USAK, a casual and three semi-trads), stocker acrylic and wool kilts from SWK, and then to handsewn worsted wool from USAK and Matt Newsome. Now, I'd more likely refer to the wool kilt as a product improved Utilikilt! (Although I do like having pockets, sometimes.)

The Isle of Skye is a gorgeous tartan. For me, most tartans are either ugly, or decent looking. The Isle of Skye is flat out beautiful, and Strome is a fabulous weave of tartan, in my experience.

To the extent my opinion matters (that is to say, not at all, really), I think you're starting off the right way.