Kilts contract to stay in Scotland
THE contract to make kilts for Scottish soldiers will be staying in Scotland, the Government announced today.
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram announced at Edinburgh Castle that Borders weaving firm Robert Noble, which has produced the cloth for the tartans of Scotland's regiments since 1850, would still be the supplying the tartan for the new Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The announcement follows fears the tartan may be produced abroad after the Ministry of Defence was forced to put the contract out to tender. Mr Ingram has confirmed the Peebles firm will be making the 15,000 metres of fabric for up to 5000 kilts.
Glenisla Kilts in Motherwell will then make the outfits with the material provided.
Mr Ingram said today: "This is good news for Scottish manufacturing and the Scottish economy, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the MoD. We are all winners here. For the MoD it's not just about getting the lowest price, it's important to get a product and service that's right. This is also a further step in the new era of the Royal Regiment of Scotland."
Mr Ingram was also at the Castle to unveil the new tartan which will be based on that currently worn by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and is close to that worn by the former Black Watch.
The new Royal Regiment of Scotland was controversially formed last year from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Black Watch, the Highlanders, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the King's Own Scottish Borderers and the Royal Scots.
Each had their own individual kilts for ceremonial wear but in future members of the six battalions of the new regiment will wear the same tartan.
The total £4.5 million contract also includes sporrans, trews and other ceremonial garb to go with the kilts. Currently, Noble weaves 12 designs for the former regiments. Today's final decision follows a small trial set of kilts being produced. Mr Ingram added: "The battalions have had a busy year working and training in Iraq, Afghanistan, Canada and Belize.
"Despite the doom-mongering, recruitment is on target, links to local communities continue, historic names remain, and pride in the battalions remains strong.
"The new Regiment has opened up a host of career opportunities for its soldiers, stability for families, and a more flexible fighting force for the Army."
A further contract, worth around £190,000, for other kilts and accessories has been awarded to Argyll Bagpipes and Kilts in West Dunbartonshire.
These kilts will be for pipers, plus regiments such as the Scots Guards, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Royal Irish, and will be manufactured in Alexandria from materials sourced in Scotland. The accessories include items such as scarves, rosettes, plaid (shoulder), and piping items.
Approximately 5000 horse hair sporrans will be supplied by Ammo & Co Ltd, based in Birmingham, in a contract worth about £1.4m. A final contract of around £1.7million, for 5000 pairs of Trews has been awarded to Leeds based Turner Virr & Co Ltd, which will also make other items such as socks, spats, and jackets.
John Culbert, managing director of Glenisla Kilts added: "We're not a big company, but we fought hard for this contract, and credit is due to every single member of our dedicated staff."
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