Buying Great Kilt in Scotland

[CelticNerd]

Hello,I once asked my mom for great kilt for christmas last year but she insisted that get one made in scotland like i had did with my regular kilt, The next time i'm over there.So is there any kiltmakers in Scotland who would be willing to make a great kilt with cheater pleats and/or loops(for drawstring) or am i better off ordering one at CelticCroft

[Luke MacGillie]

First off, I'm less than impressed with the Celtic Croft's great kilts from a historical perspective. They do quite well replicate Hollywood's rendering of the great kilt in film, but its far from a garment that is evidence based.......

That being said, there are perhaps 2 people who I think have the knowledge of period artwork, and surviving examples, and access to tartan producers to accurately produce a working garment.

The biggest stumbling block is properly woven plaiding, both in width and sett repeat. You might happen to find some NOS kilting, but its most likely not woven with the right vertical repeat. That is going to be an expensive small run of cloth for just one great kilt.

After the proper cloth is in hand, the rest is pretty easy to source. Then its just decisions like external belt loops and knife pleats or internal drawstring loops and box pleats.

You and 3 buddies could make a drawsting rope, with wool yarn and bent coat hangers. Tassles for the end can be made as well, or just knot the end and call it good?

The twill braid for the loops is available from places like Wyedean

Even I have not dropped the coin on the custom run of fabric, so Im cheating if you will with just wearing doublewide fabric, currently with hastily sewn in pleats, but converting to a drawstring over the winter.

[Jock Scot]

I am not at all sure that there is anyone in the commercial kilt making world in Scotland who would make you a great kilt. There could be, but I don't know of them. Great kilts are rarely seen here in Scotland, apart from a very small(think minute) group of re-enactors and the occasional theatrical event. To give you an idea of how rare they are here, I cannot remember when I last saw one being worn, but it would probably be at least fifty years ago. I wish you well in your search.