pdcorlis - Yes I like the Carse of Gowrie kilt but there are a few things that could be improved. I was pleased with the material (wool blend) and it wears well, holds a sharp pleat, and any wrinkles fall out easily. The cost is reasonable but there is the high shipping charge to send it to the US. It is about 6 yds with 20 or 21 pleats that have a 1 inch reveal with 3 inches depth. The bottom left top apron tends to curl out just slightly like the SWK Black heavyweight (not sure why). The bottom is hemmed not selvage. Mine is a little short and comes to the top of my knee. I would have prefered about an inch longer although I have had positive comments on how it looks.

Blu (Ontario) - I just started wearing a kilt and only recently found out about X-Marks and all the kilt sites so I am pretty ignorant about all this. Since I only found out about SWK this year it may be that the Heavyweight kilt for 2006 is wool whereas it may not have been earlier. They are advertising the fact that it is 100% wool so there may have been a change this year. I also see that the Heavyweight cost range is $99 to $159 but I have yet to find anything less than $145. The Black Watch Heavyweight is $159 and that may even be a different quality and/or weave since it is individually advertised as 16 0z Australian Merino wool and the others are not.

The selvage on mine is also a little uneven as well as the inside bottom left apron was also hemmed a little off. This makes it hang slightly lower than the top apron. I attribute these to a looser weave cloth and the difficulty in sewing a solid color material.

Some of my observations may be a little on the A*** retentive side. Part of my training as a Biologist. Both kilts are good values for the cost. If the SWK Black Watch fabric has a smoother tighter fabric I would consider another kilt from Stillwater. At this time, however, the two lower cost kilts are enough and I need to start seriously researching for a traditional 8 yd 16 oz handmade in either the Ferguson modern or Ferguson weathered (trying to decide).