Kilt No.79 - at last!

[Hamish]

As I promised Hamish I asked Tony Collins re the weight when I revisited the stall today at the Royal Welsh Show.

He said that all the WTC cilts (all material woven at the Cambrian Woollen Mill, Llanwrtyd Wells) are made with 13 oz, or just a little over and the difference in weight is therefore down to the casual cilts being 5 yards as opposed to the full 8 yard cilt.

I am surprised, Trefor. Seriously. I was not thinking of it in terms of the weight of the entire kilt, but of the 'feel' between finger and thumb. It is a very soft fabric so maybe that has an effect too. I would have said 11oz, maybe 12oz but not 13oz+.

With regard to the 5yd thing: I measured mine this morning and found it to be just a few inches over 4yds! In truth, I would have thought that, with another 2½ feet of fabric, they could have deepend the pleats just a little more - particularly as it is pleated to neither stripe nor sett. Still, what is done, is done and I doubt I will order another cilt from WTC, at least not a 5 yarder!

I wore my Roberts today and it held its own well and felt really good despite the unaccustomed heat

Yes, a very rare sunny and warm day today down here too. Unfortunately, I have been 'entombed' in Petworth House nearly all day and have been unable to enjoy the UV rays (upon which I thrive!!). Tomorrow, threatens to see a return to the rain!

As I entered the ground someone from a TV camera crew shouted "hello Jock!"

(Despite a dragon on my cilt, another dragon on my sporran and dragon badges on my Balmoral!)

I calmly wished him "Bore Da." He carried on with "how ya doing Jock."

NO WAY was I going to speak to him in English

So as I swept past, I replied "Iawn diolch, dyma un cilt Cymraeg, dim Albaneg." (Fine thanks this is a Welsh cilt not Scottish).

Clearly more cilted missionary work is required in Wales!

You said it, my friend! So, we won't get to see you on TV then? Not after that!

By the way, Trefor, I am truly surprised that you have not heard from Howie. I have mentioned your 'Edinburgh experience' I think twice now. I am meeting up with him again this Saturday in London and will pass on your E-mail address one final time - I really do not think I can keep doing it without making matters worse!

[macsim]

Great to finally see something more than a swatch in the Edwards. One of my great-grandmothers was an Edwards and I've wanted to see it displayed ever since I found out there was a tartan out there. Couldn't have picked a better model - you do the family name proud Ham!

[Hamish]

Great to finally see something more than a swatch in the Edwards. One of my great-grandmothers was an Edwards and I've wanted to see it displayed ever since I found out there was a tartan out there. Couldn't have picked a better model - you do the family name proud Ham!

Many thanks, Macsim. My maternal grandmother was an Edwards - that was why I chose this tartan.

[Martin]

Many thanks, Macsim. My maternal grandmother was an Edwards - that was why I chose this tartan.

Ham, my maternal grandmother's maiden name was Edwards!

Perhaps I should consider a kilt in this tartan too!

Hmm, could we perchance be related? Let's see......the grey beard, the penchant for the kilt, the good looks........yes, it's all becoming clear!!

[Hamish]

Ham, my maternal grandmother's maiden name was Edwards!

Perhaps I should consider a kilt in this tartan too!

Hmm, could we perchance be related? Let's see......the grey beard, the penchant for the kilt, the good looks........yes, it's all becoming clear!!

COUSIN!!!!!!!!

[macsim]

Group hug! I'm curious....this is a "Welsh" tartan but I have not been able to trace my family back to Europe yet. It gets difficult when you get back to a certain point in the tree and everyone seems to be named "Edward Edwards!" Several people in this thread have mentioned Edwards ancestry and I'm wondering if they are truly Welsh. Some names can go several ways and I've learned you can't always go by "sept lists" and "official tartans."

And yes Martin, I'd have to agree. Those Edwards folks are a dashing lot!

[davedove]

Group hug! I'm curious....this is a "Welsh" tartan but I have not been able to trace my family back to Europe yet. It gets difficult when you get back to a certain point in the tree and everyone seems to be named "Edward Edwards!" Several people in this thread have mentioned Edwards ancestry and I'm wondering if they are truly Welsh. Some names can go several ways and I've learned you can't always go by "sept lists" and "official tartans."

And yes Martin, I'd have to agree. Those Edwards folks are a dashing lot!

My Edwards line seems to be English, but I haven't been able to trace it completely yet. And, of course, many record keepers tend to think of Wales as just part of England anyway, so it COULD be Welsh. Who knows, I might be another VERY distant cousin.

Anyway, here's my Edwards cilt:

[McClef]

I am surprised, Trefor. Seriously. I was not thinking of it in terms of the weight of the entire kilt, but of the 'feel' between finger and thumb. It is a very soft fabric so maybe that has an effect too. I would have said 11oz, maybe 12oz but not 13oz+.

With regard to the 5yd thing: I measured mine this morning and found it to be just a few inches over 4yds! In truth, I would have thought that, with another 2½ feet of fabric, they could have deepend the pleats just a little more - particularly as it is pleated to neither stripe nor sett. Still, what is done, is done and I doubt I will order another cilt from WTC, at least not a 5 yarder!

I would agree that the "feeling" is different Hamish but I only have my 5 yard Roberts and 8 yard St David's for comparison purposes. Whereas the amount of fabric used can vary according to the measurements, that would sound less than it should, given that the casual cilts are advertised as 5 yarders on the site. I did notice that they offer cloth only by the metre in both 11 and 13 oz weights. I can only suggest that you contact Tony Collins and raise these concerns with him, I have always found him responsive and he appears genuinely concerned with customer satisfaction.

You said it, my friend! So, we won't get to see you on TV then? Not after that!

Well they have one more day left to interview me properly. There are several camera crews wandering around so you never know! And tomorrow I am going to wear a Cymru Am Byth T Shirt!

By the way, Trefor, I am truly surprised that you have not heard from Howie. I have mentioned your 'Edinburgh experience' I think twice now. I am meeting up with him again this Saturday in London and will pass on your E-mail address one final time - I really do not think I can keep doing it without making matters worse!

Thanks very much Hamish, perhaps it will be third time lucky!

Alas I wasn't able to wander round the showground today sporting the ysgrepan after all. The Cardiff shop had sent up a black one and I had ordered the brown. The guys on the stall phoned Tony Collins about it and the correct one is now going to be posted to me post free. Sounded like someone was going to get a talking to about that!

[Hamish]

......................................I can only suggest that you contact Tony Collins and raise these concerns with him, I have always found him responsive and he appears genuinely concerned with customer satisfaction. ............................................

That is a very good idea, Trefor. I already had a longish conversation with Steve, the Scottish salesman who measured me at the Castle Arcade, Cardiff branch about my experiences. He said he would pass on my comments, but it might be more effective coming from this horse's mouth!

Thank you for the suggestion.