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20 Miles in an Heirloom
Now and then, I'll see references to something called an "heirloom quality kilt". It occurred to me over the weekend that it's not really an heirloom if the only places it's been worn are piping engagements, weddings, funerals, and various Renaissance "faires" and "Celtic festivals"...more like in that case it'd be the "family costume", to be held aloft and examined in hushed tones and finally stuffed ingloriously back in a foot locker for the better part of another generation.
I didn't favor the latter idea.
It also occurred to me that the best way to make an heirloom out of a good quality kilt would be to DO STUFF in it! Where an "action shot" is far more than standing in the beer tent or showing off one's pleats.
Essentially, I felt it was finally time to put Robert MacDonald's claims to the test...as stated on his website:
A full 7 or 8 yard kilt ('length' alone is not an indicator of the quality of a kilt) is a surprisingly sophisticated example of the tailor's skill. It will take an astonishing amount of heavy wear.
As an 'Army' kiltmaker, I create kilts of robust construction that will stand up to the rigors of daily wear. Each kilt is entirely hand-sewn to the customers' measurements and requirements and takes approximately 20 hours labour.
I buy my kilt cloth from one source: DC Dalgliesh Ltd, Dunsdale Mill, Selkirk, Scotland. I have found their kilt-cloth to be the best cloth available – absolutely superior to any other source.
How good is it? If you come to my shop I will show you a kilt I made for myself 10 years ago that has never been ironed since I made it. I have gone hill-running in that kilt, slept rough in it, worn that kilt when it was so wet I might have been sitting in a bathtub, sat on the balled-up pleats in the back of an Army truck and then worn it the rest of the day with no attention paid to it at all. Through all of this the pleats have kept their edge yet there is no sign of any wrinkle, and the brambles have yet to snag on it.
Ok, you're on!
Everything he said about his kilts, wool kilts, handmade kilts, is why I chose to buy a kilt from him...and I bought it with every intention of gently beating the !@#$ out of it, and fully expecting the same results.
Is this a plug for 16x8, 100% wool, "tanks"?
Why, yes it is. If there were ever any doubts in your mind, let this ease them. 
Some of you may have seen the pictures from the first time I went hiking in my kilt:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...untains-59939/
That was the trial run.
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