How to buy a kilt - the way it used to be done

[Troglodyte]

I was confused by your statement, because Lochcarron uses Scottish wool for their Strome. I had to re-read it to realize I had glossed over the "and processed" portion.

Although processing is done in England, I do love Lochcarron's commitment to doing as much as possible in Scotland.

I am involved with a musuem that has Scottish traditions as its raison d'etre, and encouraging handicrafts such as knitting and weaving is a main feature.

It is impossible to find in practical quantities wool or yarn that is truly Scottish - that is grown, processed and finished in Scotland. There are still weavers and spinners operating on a commercial scale, but they grudgingly admit thier wool is imported or processed outside Scotland.

Modern agricultural practices are partly to blame, as the old breeds have been replaced with those suited to ease of care and meat-yield, which is at the expense of the fleece quality and suitability for the wool-trade. It also demonstrates the hugely successful marketing of the Antipodean producers.

What Lochcarron is doing for Scottish wool is highly commendable, but much more is needed to save both the remains of the domestic wool industry and the breeds of sheep whose fleeces gave the distinctive character to the old cloths. But Scotland is not alone in this, as this is a UK-wide situation, and is even wider than that.

Consequently, every time someone buys a PV kilt, or foreign-made jacket or sporran - indeed, any item of Highland dress made outside Scotland - I see it as them are knocking another nail into the coffin of Scottish culture and tradition.