just back from a long weekend in Edinburgh

**Paul Henry** · 11th April 06, 03:35 AM

It was wet and cold, with lots of rain and sleet , and even a little bit of sun,but it was nice to be there and wander through all the shops, both the sensible ones and the tourist tat ones!
I did buy myself a second hand one at good price and a nice fit at Armstrongs, a very interesting "period" clothing shop, fun rummaging around the hangers.
but the point of this posting is just to say that I was a little bit surprised to see quite so many"tourist" type kilts being sold for very cheap prices, it seemed a shame really.
Only saw a few kilts in action and most of those were on the pipers on Princes Street.
But I'd be more than happy to go back and visit again, so not at all put off!

**cessna152towser** · 11th April 06, 03:50 AM

Glad you enjoyed Edinburgh. The other side of the coin to cheap tourist kilts is that if people can buy a cheap Pakistani made polyester kilt for the price of a pair of trousers this can help make kilts more fashionable - many of the younger generation buy these as a first kilt which they might only wear to attend Scotland football or rugby matches. These are often bought by people who might otherwise never buy a kilt, but who might go on to buy a quality one later. I don't think the traditional Scottish kilt maker has anything to fear from these cheap kilts.

**davedove** · 11th April 06, 05:02 AM

The real shame is that the tourists think these are "real" kilts. I agree it may help to introduce the people to kilts, but they need to experience a tailored kilt as soon as possible. They need to see that they are not getting a real tailored kilt at a bargain price, but are instead getting a CHEAP imitation.

**Paul Henry** · 11th April 06, 05:05 AM

I think that was really my thought, if people only see cheap kilts of, well lets say less than wonderful quality,that's what they think kilts are.

**andyfg** · 11th April 06, 05:48 AM

I think the "cheap kilts" are not such a bad idea. I have students who look at my kilt, say "That's great, where can I get one?" When I tell them the price, their faces fall and the idea of wearing a kilt passes quickly! If there was a place I could say, "Get one there. It's not quite the real thing, but you'll have a lot of fun . . ." Well, may be some of them would take the plunge. Perhaps, "Sportkilt," but I have no experience of them. Anyone got one?

**Pour1Malt** · 11th April 06, 06:04 AM

Andy-

ai bought a Sportkilt a few year back... ai was VERY disappointed....

the fabric is licht flannel like a pair o' jammies.... :rolleyes:

**andyfg** · 11th April 06, 06:40 AM

Ah! Of course, jammies are OK in their rightful place . . .

So how do you produce a decent kilt at a price the average poor student could afford?

**davedove** · 11th April 06, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by andyfg

So how do you produce a decent kilt at a price the average poor student could afford?

There are some decent, low cost kilts out there. My complaint is that often the tourist traps will present there products as "just like" the hand sewn traditionals. The vendors should be honest and say that their products are low cost "alternatives" to the traditional kilt, but they are not the same. Of course, many of these vendors don't care and only want to make money off the tourists.

**Valencian Kilted** · 11th April 06, 07:20 AM

...well.... I have to confess,.... I AM BLAMEFUL FOR BEING ONE OF THOSE TOURISTS THAT PAID A LOWER PRICE FOR A LOW QUALITY KILT!

... It was a black tartan patterned kilt that I paid 90 quid for, and... well, at first moment I thought that was a good price, compared with all I saw in other shops around Glasgow and Auld Reekie,... later, I discover this page, and all my "pride" for my "kilt" disappeared as I started to learn and know what a kilt really was,... The first I noticed was the inexistant deepness of the pleats,.... then the leaher imitation straps... and ... yes,... it don't seem to be an 8 yards at all,... maybe 5?....4?... oops... better don't ask.

... At least it is 100% wool!... and ... damn,... it fits well on me!

....and I feel really well when I look to myself dressed with it on the mirror!.... and women also like it, as it seems!.... and... for all saints.... it's my lovely cheap kilt!... and I like it. Maybe it's not the best kilt I'll have, maybe it's somekind of imitation for tourists, and also maybe it didn't deserved to pay 90 pounds for it,.... but it's MY kilt,... and when I see it, even knowing all I know now,.. I remember what the roman-hispanic philosopher Sénecca said over 2000 years ago,... "One doesn't love his land because it's the best... one loves his land because it's HIS land!".

Hopefully some day I'll be able to feel what u all feel around there, guys, proud in ur tanks,... meanwhile, I'll feel as proud as u on my "touristic bargain"!

¡Salud!

T O N O

**Pour1Malt** · 11th April 06, 07:49 AM

like jammies- they's nothin' wrang wi' a "lower cost/quality" kilt in it's richtful place...

as aithers ha said... those kilts help people fa' in luv wi kilts...

and may be a guid way tae gi people enough o' a taste thot they save

oop fair the "whole 9 yards"...

ai wi'dnae wear wan tae a wedding in Scotland...

but ai would tae a pish-oop a' the pub....