Burnett Kilt in Michigan

[Derwood]

So it's finally happening- I am getting married August after next and my wife-to-be has given me the approval to purchase a kilt in my families tartan brand new!

I have been to my local Celtic store (Highland Fling, Lake Orion, Michigan) and have gotten a quote of a minimum of $600 or more for my families tartan and while I fully expect to spend around that much, I'm just wondering if anyone knows of a maker with a more economical price (500-600 would be preferable vs. $600+) or if anyone has had experience with the kilt makers Highland Fling uses, and it's well worth the expense.

Just looking for some advice and such. I really appreciate it!

[BoldHighlander]

You might want to check out our own Matt Newsome at: http://kilts.albanach.org/

If box pleats aren't your style, he also does 5 yard knife pleats.

oh, and congratulations on both the marriage & the kilt!

[Derwood]

Also- if anyone knows where I can order swatches of both Burnett Mod or Burnett Ancient... it would be much appreciated!

BoldHighlander: I'm looking for something knife pleated in the 6-8 yard range, but I will definately keep him in mind when I purchase my next kilt; his prices are very nice.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I went to Highland Fling's web site and couldn't see any information about their kilts at all, so I cannot comment on who makes them or where they are ordering them from.

However, I might be able to give you at least a basis for comparison. If you were to buy a traditional 8 yard kilt from the Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop, made by Lochcarron of Scotland (who do a superb job on their kilts, which is why we use them as our preferred kilt makers for most jobs), you'd have your choice between 10 oz (light weight) and 16 oz (heavy weight).

The heavy weight would be the best quality kilt, and my personal preference. You'd have your choice between Burnett modern, ancient, or weathered. The cost would be $629 (based on average measurements).

If you wanted a less expensive kilt, the light weight cloth is available in Burnett modern only, and would cost you $495 (again, based on average measurements).

The House of Edgar also produces the Burnett tartan, in a 13 oz (medium weight). The museum gift shop could also supply one of their kilts. You'd have your choice between ancient and modern colors, and the kilt would cost $527 (based on average measurements).

I would bet that Highland Fling is obtaining their cloth from one of the two above mentioned mills, and if they don't have their own in-house kiltmaker, they are probably getting their kilts from the same source. The prices I gave you from the Scottish Tartans Museum represent a pretty minimal mark-up cost. So if they are quoting you upwards of $600, it's probably a pretty fair price, especially if that is for Lochcarron's heavy weight range, which would be the highest quality, but also the most expensive option.

Oh, and if you want sample swatches, I would assume Highland Fling could order them for you, but if they can't, you can order them over our web site, here:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/material.html

Or just give us a call at 828-524-7472.
Aye,
Matt

[SFCRick]

go with Matt

[Scotus]

Having ordered an 8 yrd kilt, 16 oz kilt from Matt, I can recommend you order through him. As far as the House of Edgar 13 oz, I have an 8 yrd in this also, and it's very nice material. If price is a factor, I'd go with the 13 oz House of Edgar. Just one opinion here.

[Jerry]

I too would recommend Mac. My 16 oz 9 yard kilt in ancient Macneil tartan, ordered from Locarron through Matt at the Tartans Museum is superb.

[ForresterModern]

Kiltstore.net lists 10 Burnett tartans, 6 in the modern colors in various weights by Lochcarron, House of Edgar, and another mill listed as "glena" (which I have never figured out what it stands for, but have heard occasional good and not so good things about). They also list the Lochcarron ancient and weathered colors schemes. Their prices are pretty comparable to those above, so no real reason to go with them over the others, except for their 5yd kilt in 16oz glena wool comes in at around $350-60, as a cheaper alternative. They do generally nice work as well. Although no kilts from them I have several other items of tartan fabric made by them that I love.

[ForresterModern]

I just remembered that if you access the kiltstore.net site through this one by clicking on their ad in the upper right corner of nearly every page you get a pretty decent discount that gets the 5yd 16oz glena kilt down to a little over 300 clams, and in the Lochcarron 16 oz tartan an 8yd for $580 or 5yd for $411 by Balmoral, or the House of Edgar 13oz tartan as an 8yd for $535 or a 5yd for $380, give or take. They give you a nice discount if you access them through the XTMS website ad.

[Big Paul]

Congrats!!

I purchased my kilt from Highland Fling.. I love it! Gordon, owner, is a great guy! The kilt was made by Strathmore.

If you buy a kilt else where and rent the Prince Charlie and the rest from Highland Fling, just be aware that the sporran is a semi formal one. You may want to buy your own formal sporran.

As for another local kilt maker... Angus Harvey makes AWESOME kilts!! Several members on this board have kilts made by him. He is St. Clair Shores.. Call him!! He doesn't answer emails..(not very computer literate)

This all reminds me that we are in dire need of another local kilt night!!