Great Highlandwear-A review.

[The Kilted Reverend]

Hey Rabble,

Here it is finally a review of the sporran I ordered from Great Highlandwear. They were nice enough to give me a code so the sporran was free just had to pick up the shipping. I recieved the sporran and upon opening the package was pleasantly suprised. As I said in a eariler post it is not a L & M but for the money it is a nice soporran. I must say that this is my first chrome cantle so my views are a little limited. I have compared it to a SWK fur that I have that is in the same price range.

Here is the pics-

It is about the same size as the SWK.


A cose up of the sporran.


A view of the back.



The leather used on the side is a little thin compare to what Jerry uses.

Mr. Ahmed also sent me a belt and buckle, I did not fully understand but I think he said because he did not get the sporran sent out fast enough. I am sorry that I misunderstood him but he did send a nice belt, very soft leather. I actually like this belt better than I like my SWK. My only fault with it is that is too small.


A very nice buckle with a thistle design.


I really like this idea, a flap that goes behind the buckle.


It is velcro adjustable. I really wish I was a size 40...LOL

All in all I am not sorry that I ordered from Mr. Ahmed.

[ForresterModern]

I was cruising thier website last night and interestingly could find not one place where they describe where their physical location of business actually is sited, nor where they ship from or where their items are manufactured (either clothing or other accessories). Their item photos are identical to those on other web sites we are more familiar with, some of which may be promotional photos provided by the original manufacturer and thus be the same for all their retailers. But I am wondering if their actual items sold and shipped match up in appearance and quality as those they picture on the site.

They also have a screwy kilt ordering system, where they mention having multiple different tartans and weights, including regimental wt material, but then only list three common tartans and then two other listings of "tell you later" or " make my tartan"----what is up with that?

Their prices are too good to be true----easily 30-50% below most other vendors for what appear to be similar items. 8yd 13oz handsewn kilts for $163US? Diced Balmorals for $12.50US? Shipping is international, so steep for one or two items but more reasonable with moderately sized orders. I have been tempted to order a coupl balmorals from them just to see what the quality and service are for myself.

If this is real, and the quality of the materials and manufacture are indeed comparable to other major online vendors, and word gets out in the highlandwear community about their prices, it could signal some tough times for the rest of the industry, particularly that in Scotland, which could mean more artisanry lost forever.

Any other satisfied customers out there for GreatHighlandwear.com?

[Zardoz]

If you look around at some different vendors, you will see what certainly appears to be that same $21 sporran, the same picture sometimes, usually called something like "economy dress sporran" for around 45 - 55 bucks. The belt as well. I think we can all agree that while it's not always labled as such, a great deal of the "lower priced" Highlandwear from various vendors seems to come out of Pakistan. Everything comes from somewhere!

I think what we are seeing from Great Highlandware is a lot of the same stuff that we are used to seeing from re-sellers, only being offered at wholesale pricing. Even with their fairly high shipping the prices are a good deal for the goods.

They have and Irish themed sporran on there, "Calf Skin with Claddah" for 22 bucks, http://greathighlandwear.com/product.php?id_product=90 that in the picture, looks just like the ones offered as "L&M Clipped Calf Sporran with Irish Claddagh" that I'd like to have, from various vendors for $200- $250. http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/car...idproduct=3134 for example.
Now L&M Highlandwear is a well respected quality outfit, but do we know where ALL their stuff comes from? I'm tempted to order one of those to see what it looks like.
If it works out, on to the $35 Glenfinnan Shoes!

[slohairt]

If you look around at some different vendors, you will see what certainly appears to be that same $21 sporran, the same picture sometimes, usually called something like "economy dress sporran" for around 45 - 55 bucks. The belt as well. I think we can all agree that while it's not always labled as such, a great deal of the "lower priced" Highlandwear from various vendors seems to come out of Pakistan. Everything comes from somewhere!

I think what we are seeing from Great Highlandware is a lot of the same stuff that we are used to seeing from re-sellers, only being offered at wholesale pricing. Even with their fairly high shipping the prices are a good deal for the goods.

They have and Irish themed sporran on there, "Calf Skin with Claddah" for 22 bucks, http://greathighlandwear.com/product.php?id_product=90 that in the picture, looks just like the ones offered as "L&M Clipped Calf Sporran with Irish Claddagh" that I'd like to have, from various vendors for $200- $250. http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/car...idproduct=3134 for example.
Now L&M Highlandwear is a well respected quality outfit, but do we know where ALL their stuff comes from? I'm tempted to order one of those to see what it looks like.
If it works out, on to the $35 Glenfinnan Shoes!

Yes, we do know. L&M sporrans are made in Nova Scotia, Canada. As mentioned in a previous thread, most of those pictures are pilfered from manufacturers based in either Scotland or North America. These Pakistani companies are NOT the suppliers to these outfits, though some would have you believe that.

Trust me, I get a slew of emails from Sialkot, Pakistan every week!

[scotchmaster]

Yes, we do know. L&M sporrans are made in Nova Scotia, Canada. As mentioned in a previous thread, most of those pictures are pilfered from manufacturers based in either Scotland or North America. These Pakistani companies are NOT the suppliers to these outfits, though some would have you believe that.

Trust me, I get a slew of emails from Sialkot, Pakistan every week!

I do not believe that their sporrans are made at thier location in Nova Scotia... Do you know this for absolut sure? I have bought L&M Stuff and doubt it was made in NA. I have bought things from Glengarry Hats clearly labled made in Pakistan.

[Monkey@Arms]

I was cruising thier website last night and interestingly could find not one place where they describe where their physical location of business actually is sited, nor where they ship from or where their items are manufactured (either clothing or other accessories).

Snip

Their prices are too good to be true----easily 30-50% below most other vendors for what appear to be similar items. 8yd 13oz handsewn kilts for $163US? Diced Balmorals for $12.50US? Shipping is international, so steep for one or two items but more reasonable with moderately sized orders. I have been tempted to order a coupl balmorals from them just to see what the quality and service are for myself.

Snip

Any other satisfied customers out there for GreatHighlandwear.com?

FM,

Did you see this thread? http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/g...272/index.html

A lot of your questions answered there. In short, the company is in Pakistan (which used to be clear from their website), and I believe this is the first and only product review you will find.

Best regards,

Jake

[The Kilted Reverend]

I just looked at their website and they have changed the information on the about us section. It no longer states plainly that their product comes from Pakistan..........

Slainte,
Rev.

[ForresterModern]

FM,

Did you see this thread? http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/g...272/index.html

A lot of your questions answered there. In short, the company is in Pakistan (which used to be clear from their website), and I believe this is the first and only product review you will find.

Best regards,

Jake

Thanks Monkey but i have been following both threads. My point is that they have completely scoured their web site documentation of any evidence that they are located, manufacture, or ship from anywhere in particular, which I think will likely leave the impression with anybody not familiar with them from this forum that they are in Scotland or the US, not in Pakistan. If their goods are quality, it does not matter to me where they come from, as long as all is legal and ethical. But why go out of your way to HIDE your site of business, unless you have a reason, and then, what is their reason?

jeff

[kiltedsawyer]

Thanks Monkey but i have been following both threads. My point is that they have completely scoured their web site documentation of any evidence that they are located, manufacture, or ship from anywhere in particular, which I think will likely leave the impression with anybody not familiar with them from this forum that they are in Scotland or the US, not in Pakistan. If their goods are quality, it does not matter to me where they come from, as long as all is legal and ethical. But why go out of your way to HIDE your site of business, unless you have a reason, and then, what is their reason?

jeff

I think it stands to reason that they are aware of the poor reputation held by goods from Pakistan. It is therefore in their interest to conceal that fact. I am wondering about the statement that their kilts are actually made from four yards of double wide material and thus their eight yard kilt has a seam hidden in the pleats. Do other kiltmakers do this? I also find it curious that they advertise their kilts as being available in "any tartan." That seems more than a little hard to believe.
Respectfully,
David

[Monkey@Arms]

I am wondering about the statement that their kilts are actually made from four yards of double wide material and thus their eight yard kilt has a seam hidden in the pleats. Do other kiltmakers do this?

Yes, this one of the normal way of constructing a kilt, including those handmade by high end kiltmakers.

Best regards,

Jake