Opinions on MacGregor and MacDuff?

[cainam]

Hello all, I'm considering buying a kilt from MacGregor and MacDuff in Glasgow and wondered if anyone has any experiences good or bad with them. So far I've been really impressed by their customer service. Also they have 3 levels of kilt and am unsure which would make the best buy. In my tartan the cost is as follows:

Value 7 yard wool with 2 straps £260
Traditional 8 yard wool 3 straps £400
Handmade 8 yard wool 3 straps £460

As a newcomer to kilts I have a couple of questions. Does the extra yard make much difference bearing in mind I am a 32 waist. And does having an extra strap make much difference and are handmade kilts really better. At the moment I can't really see why I would pay an extra £140 for an extra yard and buckle.

[Jock Scot]

You have been impressed by them and I don't know them at all, but you are asking. Having just watched one of their videos, "how to put on the kilt", they are what I call the modern side of the kilt attire market. I also note that they are a kilt hire company too, which I bear in mind with my comments. There are some things in the video, like kilt height and no belt with a waist coat that I very much agree with, but the ruche tie, wing collar, white hose, ghillie brogues, sporran chains, and sporran belt loop do smack very much of the kilt hire look rather than dressing with some idea of knowing what you are at. Does it matter? If that is the look that you want, then, not one jot!

So OK, a trendy modern look that probably in the Central Belt would attract few comments and if that is the look that you want to go for, then go for it and to be crystal clear here, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Many will think I am being harsh, but--------------------

[Chas]

Hi cainam,

There are quite a few issues here and I will hopefully deal with a few.

Firstly, all kilts are hand made. Some are machine stitched and some are hand stitched. Theoretically machine stitching gives a far more even stitch - each stitch has the same tension and spacing. That being said, most men prefer hand stitched. Why? Think Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz.

Secondly, two straps or three? Both have ardent fans. Both are right - and both are wrong.
If you are having a kilt made for you and you don't want the third strap, tell them not to put it on. Some will tell you that they had the third strap removed. I find that like buying a car and then removing the bumpers because you don't like them.

Thirdly and fourthly, is the cost. My RAF tartan kilt (16oz, 8 yard, three strap, hand stitched to my exact size) with tartan flashes and delivered to my door, cost me £300. That was admittedly five years ago. I have many kilts, but that one is by far my best. I do not wear it going down to the pub or for a day's sightseeing. I wear it for best.

Fourthly, cost again. Only you will be able to make this decision. You are a 32" waist - so was I, once. If you come from a long line of skinny males and there is very little chance of you gaining weight - fair enough. On the other hand, if you are likely to gain weight in the next few years, then £460 for a kilt that you might only wear a few times might be too much.

Fourthly, cost again. Some will tell you that you should buy the best. Well, if money is no object, that is good advice. On the other hand, most men will tell you that they do not drive the same type of car now, as they did when they were younger. How do you know what type of kilt (there is more than one), yardage, weight that you want without wearing one for a while? And by that, I mean not a few hours, but rather quite a few occasions. And by occasions are we talking about formal or do you envisage hacking about the hills in your kilt? You can use a F1 car for towing a horse-box - but not for long!

So in conclusion, you need to decide firstly what you are going to use your kilt for and then what type of kilt will fulfil that function. Then you can look at kiltmakers. Otherwise, you might buy something that costs too much and you do not want it or need it.

[figheadair]

If you are in Edinburgh why are you looking at a kilt maker in Glasgow? You've good choices near to home.

[fortcollinsjerry]

Two items from MHO:

In 1985 I was in Scotland and ordered a Crawford kilt from these Gentleman. It is the only kilt I own and I am still wearing it. Quality speaks for itself.

Last time I was in Scotland (2009 Burns gathering of the Clans) I noted over the years that they had opened at least one additional storefront in Edinburgh. Being in business for a quarter century speaks more to the continued quality and business ethic of M & M.

If I needed another kilt I wouldn't hesitate walking into their shop again.

nuff said

[WillowEstate]

Value 7 yard wool with 2 straps £260
Traditional 8 yard wool 3 straps £400
Handmade 8 yard wool 3 straps £460

Does the extra yard make much difference bearing in mind I am a 32 waist. And does having an extra strap make much difference and are handmade kilts really better. At the moment I can't really see why I would pay an extra £140 for an extra yard and buckle.

Hi, I suspect the difference between the first and the other two isn't just a yard of cloth and a buckle! It's more likely to be the quality of the cloth and the quality of construction - the clue is in the word "Value".

Be that as it may, the actual yardage will depend (obviously) on your size and to some extent the sett, larger setts, generally need a bit more length, depending on how you want it pleated. At 32" waist, 7 or 8 yards won't make a huge difference, all things being equal.

Belts are a personal preference, the guy at the kiltmalker near us thinks the hip belt on the right is superfluous but I think the inner apron belt on the left is unnecessary and I like two on the right but go with what you prefer.

For what it's worth, my personal opinion on the three you've mentioned is that the choice would be between the first and the third, the first, if you want an everyday kilt and the third if you want something a bit more formal - but then I haven't seen them in the flesh, as it were! I'd certainly advise you take a trip over to Glasgow to have a good look at them.

[Jon Lilley]

Welcome to all the madness, Cainam!

I think you're very wise to seek advise from the kind folks here at X-Marks. You've got a lot of very talented people all very willing to help you out. I hope this will be the beginning of a very positive experience. Hang on and enjoy the ride. You'll be amazed at all the great people here. OK, enough of that stuff.

I almost dropped my teeth when I saw the prices you were quoted. OMG, are they throwing a jacket, shoes, vest in to sweeten the deal? If not, then I strongly suggest you make the time to shop around. Let's face it, you're sitting on the mother load of tartan there. Shopping in all the large cities will give you all sorts of ideas on what's available, but when you've narrowed down your choices to the weight wool, tartan, etc., that you make a wee road trip down to Selkirk to visit Dalgleish, Lochcarron, etc. and ask for their prices. Talk to them, ask questions and then, . . . let it all sink in. If you have time on your side, GREAT! If not, good luck! It's a process that takes a bit of time to sort through, but it can be a lot of fun.

Also, you might want to give the Keith School of Kiltmaking a ring and ask for recommendations of kiltmakers. If you're able to find a good kiltmaker there, the rest is simple . . . trust. Or, you could always do it yourself if you felt industrious enough. Barb Tewksbury & Elsie Stuehmeyer have a great book (The Art of Kiltmaking) that will help you get there. Actually, buy the book and read it! That will answer a million and one questions. Well OK, just a million then.

Meanntachd!,

Jon

[CeilidhDoc]

I have not purchased a kilt from them, but I do own a Glen Orchy wool jacket and vest which I quite like as sort of a business suit level of highland attire. I wear it when giving presentations for work or this past weekend I wore it to a wedding so I was a step down in formality from the groom (I was not in the wedding party, just a guest), etc, etc. Their customer service is good, and their bespoke King's Club jacket deal isn't bad depending on what kind of jacket you are getting. I looked into a Sheriffmuir from Kinloch Anderson but the MacGregor and MacDuff is significantly less costly AND allows for more customization. They also have a well thought through process for buying bespoke items via the internet using a local tailor and skype to meet with their own staff. I also have had a positive experience with their customer service. Also, if you are a fan of antique (as opposed to chromed) metal finishes, they have some items that many other sites do not carry.

Having said all that, if you live in Scotland then you could probably find a local tailor or smaller highland attire shop that would have at least the same quality and may well be able to beat the price. I deal with larger places like this for items I cannot find the way I like in the USA or that are unique to a certain store (like the Lomond Tweed jacket). But many of these "unique" items can also be found in very slightly different versions at other places if you know where to look.

Do be sure to shop around.

Slainte

[guardsman]

Do you have a tartan in mind , as this will cost extra. And regards a value kilt, be better off hiring for a wedding day in my opinion . Have in mind what you want, a quality heirloom or something that may , I say MAY do for a wedding ? Their online shop does look good tho , let us know which tartan your looking at, perhaps we can help with direction to kiltmakers . Good luck with your endeavours and look forwad to your response, cheers.

[TheOfficialBren]

I have very little to add to the excellent advice above except:

They are WAAAAAAAAAAAAY overpriced! No two-ways about it! Correct me if I'm wrong but £400 is creeping close to $700 USD, correct? I would never pay that much, even for a hand-stitched kilt. Sorry. Too much money. Plenty of world-class kiltmakers with world-class reputations can make you a very, very fine kilt that will outlast the wearer by decades for far less than that (8-yarders in heavyweight wool, too)!
I know of one expert kiltmaker who can do an 8-yard REGIMENTAL WEIGHT (very expensive fabric) kilt for about $500 USD. Why one would need a kilt that heavy I haven't the foggiest idea but some folks swear by them (then-again, I live in Southern California and our summers exceed 100*F so...there's that).

As you are in Edinburgh I would think that an afternoon out and about would yield far better prices and options (not-to-mention great quality goods).

I started out by buying a casual kilt in P/V (polyviscose, a lighter weight hypoallergenic wool alternative) and graduated up to heavyweight wool after a few months of testing to see if I like kilts. I do, obviously, like them.

Just my tuppence.