My Bruce Kilt is coming but I'm still pining.

[English Bloke]

Some while ago I posted a thread in the Kilt Advice section asking for opinions on how best to pleat a Kilt in the Bruce Modern Tartan. ( here ) I got some great responses and sound advice which eventualy helped me decide on how I was going to have my new 8 yard Strome made up.

After looking at various options regarding who was going to make the Kilt I chose a private kiltmaker rather than a big firm (thanks to a helpful steer from a friend with a friend).

After discussing pleating with the Kiltmaker and seeing the emailed pictures of the various pleating options, I finally opted to get it pleated to sett. Bit tradtional maybe but after analysing everyone's suggestions and studying the possibilities myself, I concluded that the Bruce tartan pleated otherwise would probably look busy, banded, or overwhelmingly red. I may be wrong and although I was tempted to go for stripe (I like pleated to stripe in other tartans), what I REALLY didn't want to do is order a kilt I didn't like and consequently wouldn't wear or possibly worse, get a kilt that was so heinously different that no one else wanted me to wear it. Either way, pleated to sett I'll be happy as I'll never know what I was missing.

I've also seen on here various threads regarding the phenomenon that is Jonesing. I must admit it's not a term I'd heard before turning up (uninvited ) to the forum, nor was it something I could relate to having never experienced it before. I'm a fairly patient Bloke and I've been able to handle, pretty much, any period of waiting previously. It IS something I can relate to now though.

After contacting my lovely kiltmaker I had to join the queue as apparently I am not the only person in the United Kingdom who's after a new Kilt. Fair's fair, I had not appreciated that the lead-up to Christmas would have a delaying factor but suffice to say, I've now made it to the front in only a little under six weeks; so now I'm told, my Kilt is in the making and should be ready for posting on Monday and therefore, with me by Tuesday, maybe Wednesday...

Mmmmm I hear you all mutter. What's he whining about, six weeks? that's not long at all...

Unfortunately my work involves me being away from home for some of the year. I'll be away until the 22nd of December. Starting THIS MONDAY! Me thinks the next three weeks will be a bit of a drag knowing the Kilt I've been 'getting around to' for 25 years is sitting at home while I am not.

I've never had a wool kilt before so I imagine my PV's will be hanging in the wardrobe for a while after I eventually get my hands on it

I'll drop you all some pictures when I get round to it and thanks again to those that helped me in my decisions.

[Highlander31]

The good news,...the kilt will be waiting to greet you at the door on the 22nd.

Congratulations on your new acquisition.

[McMurdo]

Congratulations on the new kilt, any way you could have it shipped to where you will be?

[auld argonian]

I can dig where you're comin' from, as we used to say when I was a bit younger. I've got a Robertson Ancient coming and hoping that it gets here before the holiday so I can make the season bright by wearing it to all of my Christmas functions. My personal complication is that I'm having a surgery on Dec. 3 that will, in all probability, leave me out of commission for a couple of weeks. Thus, we'll probably both be trotting out our new acquisitions at about the same time. I had one last pre-surgery stop at the bar last night and left promising the regulars that, hell or high water, I'd be there right before Christmas in full kilted glory...this bunch has never had the pleasure of having seen the kilted me.

It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.

Best

AA

[Haegl]

A good wool Kilt takes time. It'll be there before you know it

[cessna152towser]

Patience is a virtue.
I fully understand and empathise with what you are going through as I am currently jonesing for two kilts.

[English Bloke]

Congratulations on the new kilt, any way you could have it shipped to where you will be?

McMurdo, mate. It's a thought but... the Kilt and the Job would not go well together. It's best I wait, honest!

Pics to follow I promise.

[English Bloke]

So here it is. My wife decided it would be a great idea to wrap it for a christmas present so I had to wait until 25 Dec in the end. Some people are just plain cruel...

On Boxing Day we went out for a walk to Etherow Country Park in Cheshire so my daughter Tamsin could feed the ducks... and geese... and swans... and coots... and seaguls... and the hundreds of other birds that are there. It's a lovely park and a great little walk for a small person.



Tamsin Feeding Ducks



Outside the Visitors Centre, Etherow Country Park in the new hand-sewn Lochcarron Strome Bruce Modern Kilt pleated to Sett (in the end!!)

It was absolutely freezing in the wind so I've got a big fleasy jacket on. Not cold anywhere else except maybe my knees... A bit!



A walking away picture... Perfect Pleating



Our Hollywood pose



The rest of us. Lovely Wife and gorgeous Daughter and err.. Me



Made it to a pub for a bit warm and a quick-one



It's Robinson's Bitter if you're interested.

I take back most of what I said about casual kilts. They are great for an evening out and you want to save your good kilt from beer spillage if that's what's on the cards, But the workmanship, quality, feel, weight, hang, swish, and all the rest puts this kilt several worlds apart from anything I've ever worn before. Any X-Marker who doesn't yet have a 16oz wool kilt. Please start putting aside for one now. This is a stunning piece of work. I am totally blown away. I want to wear it all the time but I also don't want to break it.

[McMurdo]

It looks absolutely brilliant, well worth the wait. I do completely agree with you regarding 16oz Strome weight it really is the material to make kilts with, nothing else comes close. The pleating to the sett looks like an excellent choice and your kilt maker has done a wonderful job of it, congratulations.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Thanks for the pictures. It's certainly a beauty, and I'll also echo you and Glen in that there is nothing quite like 16 oz. wool for a kilt. WELL worth the extra money and wait. Wear it in good health.