Just a passing comment - Alaskan mentioned the 10oz weight wool from Lochcarron, who are, I am led to understand, the world's largest tartan weavers. They have their own website at www.lochcarron.co.uk and it is interesting that they consider the 10oz as only being suitable for trousers or ladies kilted skirts. One other useful item from their site is that the tartans listed there are ones which are readily available - much more practical information than those sites which simply list ALL tartans.

I am also intrigued by the number of writers who have 4yd casual kilts. The shortest casual one I have is 5yds and I know of several Scottish kiltmakers who consider anything less is unsuitable for a man's kilt (not enough material for number/depth of pleats) and 4yds is only suitable for a ladies kilted skirt. I have absolutely no personal experience of this shorter length and just wondered what the wearers thought of them in terms of appearance, pleating, "swing" etc.