Shopping on the Royal Mile

**CelticRogue** · 7th August 04, 05:02 PM

I will be in Edinbourgh next week and will be shopping for a kilt jacket. Are there small kilt shops other than the larger Hector Russell-types that I can get a kilt jacket without paying "tourist" prices. Been successful with Tartan Web, a small family-owned business which I had planned to stick with, however, but they are located 25km west of the city with no real public transportation assetts readily available. So I must remain within the confines of Edinbourgh this trip.
Open to suggestions

Celtic Rogue

**highlandtide** · 7th August 04, 06:33 PM

All I know is that if you shop on the Royal Mile you will pay tourist prices.

Sorry I cant be of any other help.

**Graham** · 8th August 04, 07:00 AM

One..shop around.

Two...let me come with you and help

**Miah** · 8th August 04, 10:18 AM

Off topic but I like the new Avatar Graham

**Freelander Sporrano** · 8th August 04, 12:44 PM

Try to search the net.I can however only say good things about HR my very first kilt is from them. They were very professional.
The kilt fitted perfectly. It took 12weeks.They do however have some off the peg and x-hire kilts for sale. Send a mail to their customer services dept before you leave, and maybe they can have some ready at the Lawnmarket Branch (Just down from the Castle)Or at another in the area for you to look at. Oh Blast! I was assuming you wanted a kilt.

They do jackets aswell I don't think they hire thoose.However Linda is very helpful.She may have some ideas.
Failing that just shop around you might find a good second hand one somewhere.

Happy hunting...Let us know how you get along

**Graham** · 8th August 04, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Miah

Off topic but I like the new Avatar Graham

thanks Miah

**Hamish** · 9th August 04, 03:14 AM

Just because you shop on The Royal Mile does not necessarily mean that you pay 'tourist' prices!

There are reliable, long-established kiltmakers in that area of Edinburgh and, yes, there are small (and not-so-small) tourist trap shops as well - those are the ones to avoid like the plague!

Hector Russell has shops in The Lawnmarket and on Princes Street (the latter has the larger selection of everything to do with traditional Highland dress and would be my choice of the two. The Lawnmarket shop is very small, is close to the Castle and is probably slightly angled to tourist sales). My choice above all others would be Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd at 57-59 High Street (Part of the Royal Mile), right next to John Knox's House. This is a highly reputable kiltmaker whose prices are fair and which remain constant across all their branches.

A final word. You must appreciate that if you want authenticity and reasonable quality you are going to have to pay slightly more for it - but you will never regret that. Buy a cheap jacket from a touristy souvenir type shop, where kilts are displayed at £35/£50, and you are asking for trouble and massive disappointment later.

Shop carefully and you'll be fine, but question the Sales Assistants as to the origins of the jackets. Feel and compare the fabrics as you would with any item of clothing anywhere - you can tell the difference between quality and tat, I am sure!

Believe me, genuine kiltmakers on The Royal Mile, or anywhere else, are not going to rip you off - but, as in any large city, there are sharks who import rubbish from overseas, who will.

Enjoy Edinburgh. It's a fantastic place (and in full Edinburgh Festival flow right now). I'll be there next month for a few days, after the Festival crowds have dispersed!

**Aaron** · 9th August 04, 04:06 AM

I don't know about the rest of you, but if I ever become exceedingly wealthy I'm going to hire Hamish as my personal shopper/kilt consultant. Hamish, should I pay you in cash, or kilts?

**Mychael Sporrano** · 9th August 04, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by Hamish

There are reliable, long-established kiltmakers in that area of Edinburgh and, yes, there are small (and not-so-small) tourist trap shops as well - those are the ones to avoid like the plague!

My choice above all others would be Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd at 57-59 High Street.

A final word. You must appreciate that if you want authenticity and reasonable quality you are going to have to pay slightly more for it - but you will never regret that. Buy a cheap jacket from a touristy souvenir type shop, where kilts are displayed at £35/£50, and you are asking for trouble and massive disappointment later.

While I have never been to Edinburgh proper, I am presently using the 21st Century Kilt portion of Geoffry (Tailor) Ltd., via the internet. So far, the service has been excellent and I see no reason why it will not remain so or how it could be anything less than excellent in person. The other business on The Royal Mile that I have used is Nicholson Highlandwear. The product that I was sent was of high quality, the prices on par with the quality of the product. I suspect that customer service in person is much better than that which I saw while trying to conduct business over the internet; otherwise Mr. Nicolson wouldn't still be in business these many years. (At the moment I am in the process of a gillie brogue exchange and am curious to see the degree of attention the swap is given.)

Hasmish is correct in his continued assertion that you get what you pay for- in terms of both quality and customer service. The garments that I had made by Kinloch Anderson were outstanding. This admission will no doubt reveal me for the debutante that I am, but it is a tremendous thrill actually having a piece of tailor made clothing labeled with my name and date of purchase. Where the jacket is concerned, I had to take it to have the sleeves shortened slightly due to my nervousness in sending an exact measurement at the time of placing the order (easier to have something lessened than augmented!). The fellow who accepted the jacket at Jos. Banks' men store was VERY complimentary about the quality of the tailoring, giving accolades that were entirely unsolicited. KA did cost a little more, but we are not talking a ridiculous amount or paying more simply for a name.

It can be amazing how attention to little details can make a difference. I have spent my life rarely having the correct clothing for nice occasions. Having turned 40 yrs a few years ago, I decided it was time to spend some time (and money) looking decent and actually having the right shoes for a look instead of making due with something for which I was slightly embarrassed. When I wear my KA stuff around here NO ONE has any idea what it cost or who KA is. But, when they get up close, the quality is evident and says that I might have some idea of how to dress myself. Of course, it is all a facade since it is only the same simple old me underneath the lovat tweed jacket and waistcoat and 7-8 yards of wool tartan... Facade or not, the time I have spent in the business of fine dining has taught me that presentation is probably 75% of the battle.

Anyone here for getting a charter plane with the intention of raiding Hamish's wardrobe? Anyone know his dimensions?

Mychael

**macwilkin** · 9th August 04, 06:20 AM

Hamish wrote:

A final word. You must appreciate that if you want authenticity and reasonable quality you are going to have to pay slightly more for it - but you will never regret that. Buy a cheap jacket from a touristy souvenir type shop, where kilts are displayed at £35/£50, and you are asking for trouble and massive disappointment later.

Amen, Amen, Hamish! The mantra of buying a kilt and "kilt kit"!

Like Freelander, I HIGHLY recommend Hector-Russell. For us Yanks, HR is now available right across the border in Toronto -- ask for Darren, he is EXCELLENT when it comes to customer service. Kinloch-Anderson and Burnett & Struth in Ontario are also good.

Cheers!

T.