Kilt wars in Scotland

[Mike1]

OK, we've an issue that's cropped up in this thread. I'll be doing some editing to some posts, so please try not to be offended.

This thread has earned considerable attention from the moderating staff. Let those with ears hear.

[ozone]

I agree with gseven in that cheap kilts do allow people to explore without paying an arm and a leg. I am reminded of an experience that my wife and i had a few years ago. I got it in my head that we could both learn to paraglide (parapente for you euro-types). So, for about $100, we found an organization that would take my wife up on a tandem flight. THis was preferable to signing up for lessons for $1000. She tried it, sort of liked it, got airsick, and we moved onto other pursuits.

Not that cheap kilts would get people airsick, but at least the equivalent of $50 for a kilts allows exploration and an individual can always aim for the "proper" kilt later if they like the cheap one. I have found that I only wear my "proper" wool kilts these days after trying a cheap kilt..... Anyone need a cheap PV kilt by the way? :-)

[CactusJack]

A very interesting article, Thanks for posting it.

[highlander_Daz]

Ive been in the royal mile tartanarama shops many many times, (i once bought a teddy bear!) the highland wear in these shops is of a very very poor quality, ive personally seen tourists handing over hundreds and hundreds to swell the "Gold brothers" (Singh they are called really) coffers, If only they would spend money on some of the better quality budget Kilts (Stillwater etc.) I think they would get a better deal, any well made Kilt takes skill to make.

There is a siimilar argument over bagpipes made in Pakistan, they are simply firewood yet again tourist buy set after set, once again from our "friends" at Gold Bros.

the easiest way of doing something about the "tartan tat" is cease spending money with them, buy highland wear from establised businesses that sell quality goods preferably made in Scotland or made overseas by crafts(persons?) that make Highland wear using traditional and quality methods.

If the skill of Kiltmaking is to continue we have to be prepared to pay slightly more
a. to keep the skilled kiltmakers in business
b. so that the skill isnt lost forever

[Arlen]

Arlen,

Are they really PV or acrylic?

The Gold bros one is PV, the other one is, I think, Acrylic.

[Monkey@Arms]

The Gold bros one is PV, the other one is, I think, Acrylic.

The Lidl flyer states that theirs is five yards of PV.

I am not exactly sure why some posters are acting shocked over the possibility of an imported kilt for £19.99 --at current exchange rates the SWK economy sells for less.

Best regards,

Jake

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Mr. Gold is quoted as saying, "There are a lot of people who can't afford £1000 or £500 for a kilt."

Why is it that whenever people are attempting to justify their cheap kilts, they tend to overstate the actual expense of quality kilts. £1000 given today's typical exchange rates, is in excess of $2000 US. Who is charging that much for a kilt????

We (the Scottish Tartans Museum) sell kilts made from Lochcarron's Strome weight "rare select" range of tartans (pretty much the most expensive heavy weight cloth available from stock) for $629. Most of our kilts are much less expensive than that, but I'm giving our most expensive just to make a point.

Sure, some people can't (or don't want to) spend $629 on a fine hand tailored kilt. Some people can't (or don't want to) spend $495 on a fine hand tailored kilt. No one is arguing that point. That's why some places offer less expensive alternatives. In this case, much less expensive alternatives. But there is no need to exaggerate the actual cost of a traditional Scottish kilt to make that point.

The Gold Bros. real competition here is Lidl supermarket and Ebay. It isn't Geoffrey Tailor or Kinloch Anderson, etc. They are simply playing on different fields.

[Arlen]

The Lidl flyer states that theirs is five yards of PV.

I am not exactly sure why some posters are acting shocked over the possibility of an imported kilt for £19.99 --at current exchange rates the SWK economy sells for less.

Best regards,

Jake

Looking at the pictures in that flyer I'm not sure I'd really like to buy one of those anyway.
I have a theory that if they can't take a picture of a pressed kilt then they can't sell anything worth buying.

[Sean_the_Kilted]

How are these different than $30 SWK Thrifty kilts? SWK Thrifty kilts are cheaper with the exchange rate. They are no substitute for a hand sew wool kilt, but thats ok. If they get guys into kilts, then I think its a good thing.

[Nick the DSM]

i agree with Sean here

The kilts COULD be same quality as the SWK thrifties and therefore, an inexpensive kilt. however, they COULD be deuce and not be comparable.


at first when i saw the title, i thought bunches of scots in kilts beat the ---- outta each other or sumtin like that.