locharron - out if stock...

**Paul Henry** · 13th August 11, 01:15 AM

I generally prefer the Dalgleish cloth as well, but I would just make the point that we are extremely fortunate to ( usuallly) have a choice in what cloth we use.Each weaver's cloth has it's own recoginisable differences , and often I leave it to the client to choose the variation that he likes, when there is a choice between mills.
Historically itis very unlikely that any selection of the finer points of the cloth were possible, and I've said it before I really do like the fact that we can choose.

**bonnie heather** · 13th August 11, 08:20 AM

In my humble opinion, D.C.Dalgliesh weaves the most beautiful tartan fabric of all. One of the biggest reasons is the lovely, clean, traditional selvedge. I think it makes a big difference in the look of the kilt for the reasons others have already stated.
I've been very lucky to have made many kilts using their fabric, including two kilts for myself. Every time I wear them, I always feel very pleased with the look and the feel of the fabric.
I think that since a kilt is a very special garment that a person can enjoy for many years to come, it's worth the bit of extra cost to have a kilt made with tartan that you'll always be happy with.
Lochcarron is excellent and Marton Mills is very good. But I think it's sad that the new high speed looms end up making a selvedge with a different look and feel. I understand that it's probably more efficient time-wise and financially, but I'm so thankful that D.C.Dalgliesh still uses the tradtional shuttle looms.

**flyrod6057** · 8th September 11, 07:11 PM

just a little update here...

I was told today, after 10 weeks of waiting, that the 16ooz Maclean of Duart kilt I ordered in July would be delayed due to Locharron being out of stock until November (as mentioned by madmacs.) Of course I assumed (wrongly) that the kiltmaker had the necessary fabric in stock since I was reassured numerous times by the folks I ordered from that "All must be well" since no news evidently (again, wrong) is good news. Well, like I said, I was informed today after 2 1/2 months of waiting that they didn't have the necessary tartan.

[insert appropriate profanity] :butt:

oop:

oop::butt:

All this after numerous conversations between myself, the shop I ordered from, and the kiltmaker. I had the choice of canceling, or going with another mill. After much deliberation and swearing, I decided to re-order the kilt using 16oz tartan from Marton mills.

Launch Jones 2.0.

Have ye learnt anything, Higlander?
Aye, tis so...

**davidg** · 9th September 11, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

I decided to re-order the kilt using 16oz tartan from Marton mills.

Interesting, as I believe Marton Mills are out of stock of the modern MacLean of Duart. I am waiting for some myself and have been told it should be ready for dispatch at the end of this month (some time after the 22nd)

**madmacs** · 9th September 11, 04:23 AM

All the Macleans must be ordering new kilts for 2012...

**OC Richard** · 9th September 11, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

They must be doing MacLean of Duart still? Half the pipe bands in the country wear it...

I've told you a million times John, don't exaggerate!

It's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by all that much.

When I first attended the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in 2004 I noticed many bands wearing it.

Now, for whatever reason the programme lists each band's tartan so it's possible to do a count, which I did.

206 total pipe bands.

The top tartans are:

23 bands: Royal Stuart
20 bands: MacLean of Duart
18 bands: red MacPherson

meaning that a third of the bands were wearing one of three not-so-dissimilar red tartans.

Then there's a bit of a numbers dropoff

10 bands: Black Stuart
8 bands: red Fraser
7 bands: PCE Stuart

meaning that 86 of the 206 bands were wearing only six different tartans, all of them red except for Black Stuart.

That has changed dramatically since 2004 with a large number of bands switching to modern tartans such as Flower of Scotland, Isle of Skye, Scotland 2000, Spirit of Scotland, etc, and district tartans, and bespoke tartans.

**flyrod6057** · 9th September 11, 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by davidg

Interesting, as I believe Marton Mills are out of stock of the modern MacLean of Duart. I am waiting for some myself and have been told it should be ready for dispatch at the end of this month (some time after the 22nd)

Based on my experience so far, you may be right. However, the kiltmaker recommended it as an option. The 22nd is only a couple of weeks away, and falls into a workable timeline I guess.

Dunno. I just want the kilt I ordered in July...