What would the Victorians think?

[Jock Scot]

Tell me about it! As a veteran of the "BBC Scotland vs. London and the Six Home Counties" wars I couldn't agree more. Probably reason #283 that I moved to the USA...

I'm surprised to learn that the estate workers at Balmoral have their tweeds cut in London-- it must be a bear getting everyone down to the City for a fitting. I wonder if this is a recent thing, say since the mid 70s or so when the last decent tailors in the Highlands shuttered their shops for the last time.

Actually, having said this, I seem to recall Mr. Costello (of Costello and Son in Ilford, North London) saying he traveled up to Scotland to fit members of the Royal Household up there, so perhaps he did the Estate tweeds?

I have no idea where the men of the Balmoral Estate have their suits made, but " Haggarts of Aberfeldy" still make tweed and do make shooting suits in "Estate tweed" for many(most?) estates that require them, throughout the UK. I understand that Haggarts do travel to various estates, but the last time I visited them, to pick up new cap, there were 16 stalkers and gamekeepers being measured up for their suits------all from the same estate.