In the recent thread by JSFMACLJR entitled Keepers of the Kingdom he posted a photo of the late Sir Fitzroy Maclean of Dunconnel wearing a collarless tartan coatee, this was picked up by Wyldathart who expressed an interest and commented that he had never seen such a garment before, in response JSFMACLJR replied and I quote "The style of jacket with no collar and buttons up the front has its place in Highland dress, actually. For some time now I have been considering having Redshank in Inveraray make up a jacket like this, an exclusive design of theirs. Hopefully our own dear Redshank ( he of the wonderful photographs! ) might be able to shed some light on the jackets his company makes."
Well here I am, but firstly let me add that I no longer work for Redshank the Traditional and Contemporary Kilt makers and designers of Highland wear, but use the handle Redshank in honour of my very dear freind the Late Bernard O'Hagan Master kilt maker/Designer and bloody nice bloke.
The business continues to this day run by his capable widow Frances, and still provides high quality bespoke garments to Bernards designs and specifications.

Bernard was very much into the collarless garment, from coatees, to jackets to shirts and waistcoats, using every available material from the finest Harris tweed to the most suptle locally sourced and tanned Red deer hide, he developed the design to suit every possible need from the most casual (a leather waistcoat) to everyday wear (a Harris tweed kilt jacket) to the very formal (a black barathea kilt jacket adorned with silver buttons) all these collarless garments have a very distinctive pleat in the middle of the back.

A few photo's to give you a taste, sorry these where not specifically taken to show the design or garments in any great detail



A black leather kilt jacket in the Redshank design, features a 11 staghorn button front closure with additional 3 button cuff and quality lining in matching colour or contrasting lining, shown with the Sobieski Stewart tartan designed by Bernard

I have a similar kilt jacket made in black Barathea wool that I wear for formal occasions in preference to the common and in my case much despised PC jacket



A brown leather jacket in a slightly stiffer leather, identical in design and construction to the previous black leather jacket, shown with the Isle of Skye tartan woven in Harris Tweed a very rare and warm kilt, I know there is one in Ontario, Canada as I sold it during my time working for Redshank.

The waistcoat is a sleeveless version of these jackets.



This photo doesn't show clearly but is a green tweed cloth, again featuring the 11 staghorn button front closure and distinctive pleat in the back, and 3 button cuff, this jacket is shown with the absolutely fabulous and drop dead gorgeous Tyneside Scottish tartan, a tartan that Bernard researched extensively and had woven by Elliots of Selkirk in the finest wool, I am obviously biased towards this tartan as I own a Redshank hand crafted kilt in it, and it will never be a heirloom, I have left strict instruction that I am to be buried in it when my time comes.
The 6 panel bonnet on the mannequin is in the Inveraray tweed, another fine fabric that Bernard unearthed and resurrected, I also have a kilt in that as well as below



As with all garments and kilts made by Redshank, these are bespoke items, all handmade and made to measure, they are very high quality garments and as such don't come cheap, but as I alway advocate you get what you pay for.
A Redshank garment will make you stand out from the crowd, and endow in the wearer the pride, care and satisfaction that was put into creating the item of clothing, I am willing to answer any and all questions on behalf of Redshank Inveraray, or will direct any enquiries you may have.

Thank you Sandy for your interest

Chris