New guy here, got a couple questions

[ohiopiper]

I've been playing the pipes for several years and play for church services once in a while. Recently, I was asked to play a few hymns at another church for their Sunday evening service. Therein lies my new dilema. At my own church, everyone expects me to show up in my normal suit and tie, the fact that I'm playing the bagpipe is just an aside. They know me as something other than a piper. However, when talking with folks at the other church, the one I was asked to do special music for, I got the distinct impression they were a little dissapointed I wasn't wearing a kilt.

Since this may become a somewhat regular thing (a few times a year, at least) how does one go about getting something suitable while not a) breaking the bank and b) not being overly complicated?

I'd like to go with a MacKay tartan (family connection), is there a place that will do something other than the standards like Royal Stewart for a less than premium cost?

Thanks for the help and advise.

Chris

[SteveB]

Hi Chris,
I am doing it the other way around. I am kilted full time and am learning the practice chanter. Someday to the pipes.
For a kilt that looks great that will not break the bank, you can check out our advertisers. Rocky and Kelly at USA Kilts makes a nice semi-traditional that is custom made to fit you in many possible tartans - Just click on the upper left logo, then to kilts, then to semi-traditional. Many people thought my semi trad (poly-viscous) was a wool kilt. It is well made and stands up to some punishment of three days at the Highland Games.
Another alternative is Stillwater Kilts. Jerry has off the peg Acrylic kilts in his Standard line (limited tartans) that are low in cost and his delivery service is legendary.

[ohiopiper]

I just looked at both USA Kilts and Scotweb, both have the MacKay available. I might give some thought to just buying a complete outfit, to avoid missing anything essential that I'm just too uneducated yet to know about. But give me time, I'm reading a lot here. I never imagined I could spend hours reading about kilts!

Steve, do you have a tutor or are you going it alone with the PC?
A thought regarding the economy and a set of pipes: If you've got it to spare right now, many makers in the U.K. are lowering prices due to the economic troubles. They're still not cheap, but if you're looking at Blackwood from "across the pond", now is a fairly good time for some purchases.

[Phogfan86]

Ohio -- welcome!

You might re-post this below on the Celtic Musicians board. There are enough pipers around that you'll get more than enough good information.

[billmcc]

Many pipe bands and individual pipers buy from J. Higgins. See here: http://www.jhiggins.net/

Higgins is a US company that makes their kilts, jackets and other clothing items in house. Prices are modest and quality is good.

[Spartan]

As others have said, USA Kilts is a good place. MacKay is a stock tartan for them and you'll get a good value for the dollar.

If you decide that you want to go with a traditional hand sewn kilt, add Kathy Lare to your list of places to check. www.kathyskilts.com Her prices are competitive and work immaculate. There are others on XMTS as well.

Like SteveB, I've got the kilt, but now beginning with piping lessons.