just back from a long weekend in Edinburgh

**Paul Henry** · 11th April 06, 03:35 AM

It was wet and cold, with lots of rain and sleet , and even a little bit of sun,but it was nice to be there and wander through all the shops, both the sensible ones and the tourist tat ones!
I did buy myself a second hand one at good price and a nice fit at Armstrongs, a very interesting "period" clothing shop, fun rummaging around the hangers.
but the point of this posting is just to say that I was a little bit surprised to see quite so many"tourist" type kilts being sold for very cheap prices, it seemed a shame really.
Only saw a few kilts in action and most of those were on the pipers on Princes Street.
But I'd be more than happy to go back and visit again, so not at all put off!

**cessna152towser** · 11th April 06, 03:50 AM

Glad you enjoyed Edinburgh. The other side of the coin to cheap tourist kilts is that if people can buy a cheap Pakistani made polyester kilt for the price of a pair of trousers this can help make kilts more fashionable - many of the younger generation buy these as a first kilt which they might only wear to attend Scotland football or rugby matches. These are often bought by people who might otherwise never buy a kilt, but who might go on to buy a quality one later. I don't think the traditional Scottish kilt maker has anything to fear from these cheap kilts.

**davedove** · 11th April 06, 05:02 AM

The real shame is that the tourists think these are "real" kilts. I agree it may help to introduce the people to kilts, but they need to experience a tailored kilt as soon as possible. They need to see that they are not getting a real tailored kilt at a bargain price, but are instead getting a CHEAP imitation.

**Paul Henry** · 11th April 06, 05:05 AM

I think that was really my thought, if people only see cheap kilts of, well lets say less than wonderful quality,that's what they think kilts are.

**andyfg** · 11th April 06, 05:48 AM

I think the "cheap kilts" are not such a bad idea. I have students who look at my kilt, say "That's great, where can I get one?" When I tell them the price, their faces fall and the idea of wearing a kilt passes quickly! If there was a place I could say, "Get one there. It's not quite the real thing, but you'll have a lot of fun . . ." Well, may be some of them would take the plunge. Perhaps, "Sportkilt," but I have no experience of them. Anyone got one?