Scotweb - Advice on buying

[MartinW]

I am going to ignore the advert at the top of this page and say that I am considering getting a kilt outfit soon for my wedding. I am Welsh (so not a true Scot - but I would be if I could).....

I have my own family Tartan - and the one place that will produce a kilt outfit for me is ScotsWeb.....I know very little of them.

I would prefer GT or Hector Russel to make the kilt for me as I have been in their shops in Edinburgh and they look professional. But Hector Russel told me in an email that they would not source Welsh Tartans. Having it made and sourcing the material myself would cost over twice as much!!!!

Can anyone else give me advice in this matter......are ScotsWeb reputable? Thanks a lot to anyone that answers!

[beowulf67]

I just ordered a kilt from them a couple of weeks ago. It seems to be very well made and looks great IMHO. Also I went ahead and used the FedEx shipping option. It shipped on Friday and was at my house on Monday. I would use them again without hesitation.

[ForresterModern]

Although i have never purchased a kilt from them I have seriously considered so on numerous occasions, just never puled the trigger. Your listing does not say if you are in the UK/EU or across the pond. If the latter now is a great time to order something custom from Scotweb as the exchange rate for the $US vs the GBP is a real advantage pricewise. I was preparing to order a custom kilt from Scotweb several months at around 550$US which now is under $300---still got my finger on the trigger. I have purchased several other significant and custom items and been very impressed with the service, communication, and items quality I recieved. Nick is a good guy and will work with you to make things right. And he is a regular on this forum besides being an expert in the history of the kilt, and a vendor on the site. And don't forget you get an extra roughly 10% discount on stuff from his site when you access Scotweb by clicking on the advert upper right corner of every page of the site--exclusive discount for xmarkers.

[Riverkilt]

You don't say where on the Planet you are located. I'm guessing the UK...??

If so, I would suggest contacting a member of the Traditional Kiltmakers Guild and dealing direct. They have the same access to mill fabric as middlemen. You will be measured by the person making your kilt. They are full time kiltmakers. They will be a real person, not a contracted kiltmaker. Chances of errors and delays are much fewer dealing direct.

The Traditional Kiltmaker's Guild website is being upgraded. Can't hurt to email them and ask for the nearest kiltmaker to you. INFO@TRADITIONALKILTMAKERSGUILD.CO.UK

If you are on another part of the Planet, the same advice applies. Find a kiltmaker to work directly with. Middlemen suppliers are fine for most things Scottish - IF - their service is proven...easily searched out on this forum.

But to have a hand sewn kilt in your family tartan done for your wedding you want it done right and done on time. Best way to insure that happening is to work with an experienced local/regional kiltmaker.

Let us know where you are if you're not in the UK. If you aren't then Google up a kiltmaker or ask us.

And, welcome.

Ron
Who's known Welsh lines are Bowen and Lewis...the later were coal miners.

[MartinW]

Yes, I am from the UK....and a trip to Scotland is not out of the question if it means I get good quality and a well fitted kilt.

Thanks for the advice on the kiltmakers guild I will certainly look that one up...

Cheers

[Nick Fiddes]

If so, I would suggest contacting a member of the Traditional Kiltmakers Guild and dealing direct. They have the same access to mill fabric as middlemen. You will be measured by the person making your kilt. They are full time kiltmakers. They will be a real person, not a contracted kiltmaker. Chances of errors and delays are much fewer dealing direct.

Speaking as a mere non-real person ;-) ... I'm obviously coming from a somewhat biased viewpoint, but I believe you'll be very lucky indeed if you can find an independent kiltmaker who can source every tartan that we can. We have over 16,000 tartan fabrics on our site now, and will weave any rare tartan to order for a single kilt. We've made a huge investment over several years in pulling together a list of tartans that even the larger companies can't come close to, let alone most individual kiltmakers.

Also, I would argue that for an event like a wedding, there is an obvious risk when dealing with a solitary kiltmaker of a delay due to illness or other factors, which is far less of a problem with us. Provided we know the date of the event, we always aim to allow enough margin for error so that if an unforeseen crisis occurs we can put an emergency backup plan into action. In extreme circumstances we can source replacement fabric and by shuffling our schedules get a top quality hand-made kilt produced to heirloom standards in a few days. And if necessary we'd do so at our own expense to meet a deadline like this, had we been let down by factors outwith our control. So my humble view is that we are on balance a safer option than going it alone.

But then I'm biased! :-)

[thescot]

I haven't havd a kilt made by them, but my other dealings were all top notch. And I believe that their reputation is without blemish.

Be sure to do some checking on whomever you choose, like you're doing here. Price is not always the best measure, however, I think that these guys are as competitive as anyone else making quality kilts.

Keep us posted.

[turpin]

I have an 8-yard "Balmoral" model made by Scotweb. I like it very much. Our resident legend Hamish (95 kilts +/- and counting) is also a satisfied customer. If Scotweb has the Hamish Seal of Approval, you can order with assurance.

[McClef]

There is also the Welsh Tartan Centre if you are near Swansea...

But Scotweb are fine, have had two kilts from them plus some other stuff and you get discount and points too!

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Well, I really hate being a pessimist and I really wish I was among those singing the praises of Scotweb but....

I was tempted by the great deal I got on Scotsweb. I also liked that they Claimed they could get it to you in a matter of days. My deadline is a wedding the 28th of this month.

I ordered a kilt back in the beginning and then a mini kilt in the middle of December. I called on the 5th of January (which my member's area had originally estimated to be the latest estimated dispatch date, by then it had migrated to the 24th which I e-mailed/called about several dozen times to let them know I was worried about this) and tried to get my husband's kilt sent in time for his mother's funeral on the 10th. I figured it was being worked on by that time but it wasn't. Then I called again a few days later when my father-in-law died to once again try to get hubby's kilt in time for the funeral the next weekend. I was told that it was possible and the lady I talked to said she would talk to the kiltmaker and would call me back within the hour. She didn't. The second funeral passed. Still no kilt as I type this. I called this morning and was told my order would be sent out tomarrow. Shaving it pretty close and I'm praying that there will be no delays. I've set my alarm for 2 AM my time so that I can call when Scotweb opens and make sure my order gets sent out tomarrow.

To end on a positive note:
I'm sure the "We can make an heirloom kilt in days" probably does apply if you're in the UK

Another positive note:
They were willing to accomodate me (before the funerals) and combine both my orders into one shipment.