Lochcarrron Mill to Shut

[lasrl]

I believe that the shutting down of the mill is a symptom of a greater cultural problem in the kilt wearing community (and in modern society as a whole). If you have limited means and are hard up for a dollar (and want to wear a kilt) I can fully understand how you may want to get one made out of anything other than 100% wool; there are lots of blends and wool imitation kilts out there. Furthermore, anyone living in a free society has the right to wear a kilt (thankfully) made out of any fabric that they darn well want; I understand and agree with that also. This being said, I would never wear a kilt made out of anything but 100% pure new wool (preferably from one of the Scottish mills). I believe that wearing anything other than the real McCoy simply cheapens the garment and everything that wearing a kilt represents. Whatever happened to saving up and paying top dollar for a top quality garment that you'll keep for life? I bet that if all of us X-markers had this attitude, we wouldn't be discussing the trials and tribulations of the Scottish Mill business in the first place. I wish that more of us had an attitude more along these lines.

[Chas]

Get your wallet out - we're all on our way.

Regards

Chas

[lasrl]

Get your wallet out - we're all on our way.

Regards

Chas

I just got a fly plaid last month (which I may end up wearing only once in my life, for my wedding), and the fabric originally came from none other than .......Locharron (Bought from the Gaelic College in Nova Scotia). I like to buy from the Gaelic College (but not limited to), because it is also a non-profit school devoted to the study and preservation of the Gaelic language and Celtic arts and culture. I don't think that there is an equivalent institution in Scotland, unfortunately. It would be welcome news to hear that such a place existed in the motherland.

Here is the address if anyone is interested:
http://gaeliccollege.edu/index.php?o...tpage&Itemid=1

This past year I've spend a considerable amount of money on the highest quality highland wear that I could find, despite (or because of) this "so-called" world recession. In all cases my retailers have sourced the raw materials for my particular items from either Canada or Scotland. Some items from Scotland (like the fabric for the fly plaid), some items from Nova Scotia (sporran, animal product- manufactured by L & M). I've also purchased items from the Scottish Company, and Cairngorn Scottish Imports, both in Toronto, Ontario. I'm doing my part, but I wish that I could do more. High end items certainly can have nominally higher price tags, but I'm too cheap to purchase non-permanent/ disposable items that won't last at least a few generations. I have inherited a number of items from both of my grandfathers, and I wear them on a very regular basis. Quality never goes out of style.

By the way: I only own one kilt, but it is a masterpiece of the highest, "second to none" quality. (Maybe some military tartans in 22oz weight would be higher quality than my 16oz kilt, but I simply couldn't find my family tartan in a heavier weight).

Here are links to Cairngorn Scottish Imports and the Scottish Company respectively (They both carry high quality items from Canada and Scotland):

http://www.kiltscanada.com/wm/index.htm

http://www.scottishcompany.com/

[Chas]

Well, I'm happy for you that you are able to rejuvenate Scottish industry by yourself. I know that I am not able to do that. I have a mortgage, dependants, other responsibilities, other calls on my resources. I buy what I can afford.

But a kilt is only clothing; it is not some holy grail to be revered. We all wear other clothing besides the kilt. By your logic, we would all be walking around naked till we could afford the best; we would all starve till we could afford the best meal; we would all walk till we could afford the best car.

I will continue to buy value for money.

Regards

Chas

[David Dalglish]

You will Just have to go to D.C. Dalgliesh Just up the road from Lochcarron for all kinds of tartan.