Another protectionist kilt article from "The Scotsman"

[Monkey@Arms]

http://news.scotsman.com/news/Kiltma...tle.6613757.jp

a top kilt-maker yesterday called for a nationwide campaign to protect our national dress from being debased by a flood of cheap imports.

Iain Hawthorne, managing director of McCalls, Scotland's largest Highlandwear retailer, said cut-price imports of "inferior tat" threatened the kilt's status as an expression of "Caledonian splendour and heritage".

SNIP

"The kilt should be a bespoke item, made by a Scottish manufacturer, from Scottish cloth woven in Scotland. . . . .

He continued: "A traditional kilt uses eight yards of 100 per cent wool worsted cloth of at least 12 ounces in weight with an average of 32 pleats.

"In my opinion, it should be designed, authenticated and woven in Scotland. It should have leather straps and three buckles. The third buckle is good practice as it allows adjustment as we mature over time."

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Best regards,

Jake

[Jock Scot]

Whilst there may be some skilled kilt makers from outwith Scotland frowning at the content of the article, I think that their skill will shine through, no matter what. However, one can't help but agree with Mr Hawthorne.

[Lallans]

I say that all dyes must be made from native materials gathered by hand by crofter women and the cloth must be from yarn spun by hand and woven in one-yard hand powered looms only in the day time or by candlelight. Tallow candles.

The three buckles in question must be hammered from sterling silver by silversmiths based only north of Edinborough. They must burn only briarwood and heather flowers to heat the metal. The buckle straps must be made from the top hides of Highland Cattle that are driven to market along an unpaved high road on an authentic market day.

Seriously, no harm in encouraging local artisans of quality, but the principles even as given in The Scotsman would ensure kilts remain a very elite garment indeed in Scotland. But that may be what most Scots want.

EDIT PS: Jock, I typed up this sass before I saw your post as above.

[tulloch]

I say that all dyes must be made from native materials gathered by hand by crofter women and the cloth must be from yarn spun by hand and woven in one-yard hand powered looms only in the day time or by candlelight. Tallow candles.

The three buckles in question must be hammered from sterling silver by silversmiths based only north of Edinborough. They must burn only briarwood and heather flowers to heat the metal. The buckle straps must be made from the top hides of Highland Cattle that are driven to market along an unpaved high road on an authentic market day.

By Jove! That is good. I do think that room should be made for nickle-plated steel buckles. Do they grow nickle in Scotland?

[Nighthawk]

As my Granny MacLeod used to say- you can't put a German collar on a poodle and call it a shepherd. A kilt is a kilt is a kilt, no matter where it's made or the accent of the person making it. How is a USA Kilts Premiere not a kilt just because Rocky is not Scottish? Or a Tewksbury- is that not a kilt simply because it's made in New Mexico?

[denmcdough]

Or a Tewksbury- is that not a kilt simply because it's made in New Mexico?

OK, Nighthawk, let's get it right...Barb is located in New York! LOL

There are many great kilt makers the world over. Let's not say that a kilt can only come from Scotland.

I agree with many here, there's room for cheapo stuff, and quality. It's that way with everything!

[Dale Seago]

By Jove! That is good. I do think that room should be made for nickle-plated steel buckles. Do they grow nickle in Scotland?

Well, they at least USED it back in the day. Alloyed with copper. We refer to that alloy as nickel silver; back then they referred to it as "German silver".

[JerseyLawyer]

I'm sure there are some Eurocrats in Brussels just waiting for the opportunity to release a regulation or directive on what constitutes a kilt. Of course, you might not like what you get when all is said and done.

I believe Matt posted elsewhere an article in which he concludes that what is sold in "tat shops" and what one might get from a bespoke kilt maker are both kilts. The former is just not a very good kilt. We see this in all sorts of things, especially clothes. I can buy a dress shirt from Wal-Mart (or Sainsbury, or wherever), or I can buy one from Turnbull and Asser or Thomas Pink. Both are shirts. One is just of significantly higher quality.

I'd prefer to think that quality will out, regardless of the call for protectionist legislation. Still, I have no problem with Mr. Hawthorne calling attention to the issue. I'm sure his business will only benefit from the press.

[Alan H]

They are most certainly allowed to scream and cry all they want, and of course they are entitled to their opinion.

[cessna152towser]

As I have said before there is room for tat and for quality in the kilt market. Indeed cheap imported kilts have introduced lots more guys to kilt wearing, many of whom will no doubt go on to buy a better quality kilt later.