Tartan tat shops

**EagleJCS** · 19th May 09, 01:37 PM

At first glance, I thought this thread would be about tattoos, and I thought "OUCH! A tattoo of tartan!!!".

(Tattoo parlors hereabouts are sometimes referred to as tat shops).

It's always a shame when you see the cheap, 'touristy' shops move in on what was once a thriving, 'upper-scale' (at least upper from the junk shops) business area. But, Prince's Street is one of the tourist areas of Edinburgh, so one would expect to see a few.

It's also sad when shops are closing left and right in what's supposed to be a bustling business area.

We had the same thing occur here in downtown Louisville in the last '70's and it's only been in the last 10 years or so that some 'better' businesses are moving (back) in. Part of that has to do with more people moving back into the downtown area as well. They don't want to have to go 5-10 miles out into the suburbs to find the stores for the things they need/want.

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 19th May 09, 01:56 PM

Phil, for the uneducated, what exactly do they sell?

Just cheap touristy things? (like they do here in NZ, like small cuddly toy Kiwi's, Kiwi fruit lollies, Kiwifruit soap, Kiwifruit Kiwifruit, and low and behold - sheep...)

I'm imagining terriers with tartan on them, the wee pipers in plastic sleeves, rob roy and braveheart movies, etc etc etc, do they sell cheap nasty kilts and the like also?

Cheers for your time.

Phil C

**McClef** · 19th May 09, 01:57 PM

I guess it might not be quite as noticeable as it would otherwise be with all the disruption on Princes St but the sheer tattiness and lack of elegance is still clear from those photos.

Thanks for sharing them with us Phil.

**TNKiltedWolf** · 21st May 09, 06:56 PM

I've seen the term used a couple of times, but what does "tartan tat" mean?

**cessna152towser** · 22nd May 09, 01:31 PM

As a Scot I often wonder why Americans choose to visit Edinburgh, there is so much of Scotland which is far nicer.

**Monkey@Arms** · 22nd May 09, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by TNKiltedWolf

I've seen the term used a couple of times, but what does "tartan tat" mean?

I was confused about the term when I first came to Xmarks too.

tat
Noun
Brit tatty or tasteless articles

Noun 1. tat - tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar sleaze, tackiness, cheapness
tastelessness - inelegance indicated by a lack of good taste

Best regards,

Jake