Kilt as souvenir from future trip to Scotland

[CelticNerd]

In october, I'm going to spend a couple of weeks in scotland. First i'm going to be in Edinburgh and then to Inverness while visiting Kincraig Wildlife Park and Loch Ness, And i plan to have my first kilt made there as a souvenir. So, Which kilt makers in Edinburgh or Inverness would you guys recommend? Or if any of you guys who reads this is a kilt maker in scotland.

[Steve Ashton]

That really does depend on your budget. There are souvenir kilts available for less than $50.00USD and some will run you over a thousand.

[Tarheel]

I notice you've been with us almost a year now. Congrats for putting up with us (at least my nonsense) I hope in that time you've learned a good bit about the different weights, material choices, tartan designs, etc. to have in mind the type of kilt you want to get while "in Country." The idea of an authentic kilt made in Scotland and obtained while visiting is wonderful. The conversations will be endless with every outing.

Steve is spot on with the budget concern. Are you shopping while a tourist, or traveling to Scotland to buy a kilt? Seems to me, either way you win.

[cessna152towser]

If you only want a "souvenir" kilt which you are rarely going to wear there are plenty of very cheap, Pakistani made, kilts available on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, from £20 upwards.
If you want a good quality authentic Scottish wool kilt, hand constructed by a reputable Scottish kiltmaker you are probably looking to spend £300 plus.
Houston's of Paisley are one of our advertisers and are worthy of consideration. I've bought good bespoke kilts from them, only once had a problem and they were happy to put it right.

[Balintore]

I got my kilt from Chisholms in Inverness about 20yrs ago good quality and good price. I was recommended them by my Relatives who lived there.

[tpa]

Geoffrey Tailor provided one of mine around 35 years ago. They are still in the same premises in Edinburgh and also have a shop in Glasgow.

I use the word "provided" instead of made, because I recently came across a very long established source of hand sewn woollen kilts for a number of big name "UK kiltmakers" into which personalised to each shop "Made in Scotland" labels are sewn. The quality of the kilts is excellent, as indeed is my Geoffrey Tailor one; I just would not trust the labels any longer as providing a true indication of where or by whom the kilt has been made. So find something you like and check that your finished kilt will replicate it.

[John_Carrick]

I've had two lovely kilts made by Houstons. Paisley is about an hour and a quarter from Edinburgh.
In Edinburgh Geoffrey Tailor and Kinloch Anderson (Leith) are the gold standard but costly, but I have had a fantastic kilt made by Gordon Nicolson in the Royal Mile.
Chisholms in Inverness are reported to be exemplary.
Enjoy your trip.
John

[The Q]

A little point you may consider if you order the kilt by email well before and collect during your visit, you probably won't get hit by import duties if you bring it back in your luggage. Remember to arrange for the forms to be available to also so as not pay VAT in the UK which is 20%!!

[CelticNerd]

Alright, Thank you all for all the suggestions, I just made a list of kilt makers to consider buying a kilt from, Also to answer some of your questions, the kind of kilt i'm buying is the good quality kind that i'm going to wear it a lot.

[MacThomas]

I've had two lovely kilts made by Houstons. Paisley is about an hour and a quarter from Edinburgh.
In Edinburgh Geoffrey Tailor and Kinloch Anderson (Leith) are the gold standard but costly, but I have had a fantastic kilt made by Gordon Nicolson in the Royal Mile.
Chisholms in Inverness are reported to be exemplary.
Enjoy your trip.
John

I agree except for Gordon Nicolson (;-) but I prefer having my garnments to be tailored by Barbara Tewksbury:
Far more better quality!