kilt modification questions, unusual dye colors

[Galloglaich]

I just recieved my new kilt from an e-bay auction. Hooray! It is a MacDonald of the Isles pattern tartan (read on), pleated to the red stripe (~30 pleats, appx. 2" deep). Unfortunately, It is 1-2 inches too big in the waist & 3-4 inches too long. I'd imagine I can take care of the waist problem by just moving the buttons (maybe replace w/straps & buckles?), but I'd like to have my grandmother (retired seamstress, but no real knowledge of kilts) shorten the hem for me. Before I go and ruin a beautiful kilt, is there anything special I need to know?

On another note, the tag says "Bonda, made in Canada"- Anyone familiar w/this company? The colors are unusual in that normal green is an olive/brown & the blue is a blue/grey. The red & white stripes are normal. I asked the seller about the colors & he said he bought it as a "MacDonald of the Isles hunting". I'm pretty familiar w/ all the usual variations & its nothing I've ever seen before, but the peculiarity of it struck me as something I liked. I'd love to find material of the same variation for a matching waistcoat, but I've had no luck. Any suggestions?

Any feedback would be appreciated, as I know nothing about the fine art of tailoring, etc. Thanks

BTW, the auction has obviously ended, but the item # was 9331030799 (hope it still comes up), if you want to check out what I mean about the color shades.