a top kilt-maker yesterday called for a nationwide campaign to protect our national dress from being debased by a flood of cheap imports.
Iain Hawthorne, managing director of McCalls, Scotland's largest Highlandwear retailer, said cut-price imports of "inferior tat" threatened the kilt's status as an expression of "Caledonian splendour and heritage".
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"The kilt should be a bespoke item, made by a Scottish manufacturer, from Scottish cloth woven in Scotland. . . . .
He continued: "A traditional kilt uses eight yards of 100 per cent wool worsted cloth of at least 12 ounces in weight with an average of 32 pleats.
"In my opinion, it should be designed, authenticated and woven in Scotland. It should have leather straps and three buckles. The third buckle is good practice as it allows adjustment as we mature over time."
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