Another protectionist kilt article from "The Scotsman"

[artificer]

The issue I take with articles like this (as others point out) is that a "kilt", BOILED DOWN is a tartan skirt with a flat apron in the front and pleats in the back. Cheap tat AND McCalls' kilts both fit that VERY basic description.

What I wouldn't mind (as a kiltmaker of "low end" AND "traditional" kilts), would be a designation of "Scottish Kilt" or something like that. However, I think that what's good for the goose if good for the gander. If Mr. Hawthorne wants the designation to include the things he stipulated, it should be EXCLUSIVELY Scottish and "traditionally" made.

Canuck of NI said it half in jest in his post (on page 1), but I agree with him. The kilt with such a designation SHOULD be:

1. All hand stitched (even the waistband).
2. Leather straps made of SCOTTISH raised cattle hide.
3. Wool tartan bought from a SCOTTISH mill (No Marton Mills or Batleys)
4. Cotton thread MANUFACTURED in Scotland
5. Buckles cast in Scotland
6. Sheep raised in Scotland and their wool sheared and spun and dyed IN Scotland (no Australia / New Zealand)
7. Dyes produced in Scotland
8. A traditional kiltmaker with X number of years apprenticeship and X number of years experience.

I think that if they're going to want the same kind of protection granted to Scottish Whiskey and Champaign, they should have ALL elements done locally, just like those industries do.

What I think is a bit hypocritical is the Scottish Kiltmaker arguing for "protectionism" using buckles and leather made in China. The Scottish Kiltmaker using cloth woven in an English mill. The Scottish Kiltmaker who uses a machine to sew the waistband while touting their traditional methods.

"Let him without sin cast the first stone" (sorry to get 'biblical', but it was the best quote I could think of). If you want to have protectionist status, make sure EVERY STEP of YOUR process will meet it. After all, we're talking about setting guidelines for top Scottish quality, right? Otherwise, tout your kilt quality and get on with your business.

This is exactly what I meant by the "Harris Tweed" style designation and label.

If the kilt is going to be Soooooooo precious, let's make sure it's justified.

[RockyR]

This is exactly what I meant by the "Harris Tweed" style designation and label.

If the kilt is going to be Soooooooo precious, let's make sure it's justified.

Completely agree. Let's not have a 90% Scottish Kilt. Let's make it 100% to DESERVE the designation. I'm not trying to dissuade people from creating a designation (like they would care what I think anyway), but would like to see a designation EARNED, not given for something "close enough".

[CMcG]

OK, so to qualify for an official "Scottish Kilt" designation:

1) Materials: 100% Scottish provenance
2) Methods: 100% traditionally made, by hand
3) Making: 100% made in Scotland


Is there a 4)? Perhaps "Style?"
Does it have to be approximately 8 yards, knife pleated, registered tartan, worsted wool?
Would an estate tweed kilt count?
Would a child's kilt not be eligible because of being lower yardage?
What about military box pleats?

What limiting factors could reasonably be included under "Style?"

[artificer]

OK, so to qualify for an official "Scottish Kilt" designation:

1) Materials: 100% Scottish provenance
2) Methods: 100% traditionally made, by hand
3) Making: 100% made in Scotland


Is there a 4)? Perhaps "Style?"
Does it have to be approximately 8 yards, knife pleated, registered tartan, worsted wool?
Would an estate tweed kilt count?
Would a child's kilt not be eligible because of being lower yardage?
What about military box pleats?

What limiting factors could reasonably be included under "Style?"

I think that for an adult male of reasonable proportions, ~8 yds would be the way to go. Children would have some equivalent average.

You'd have to allow for both knife pleats as well as military box pleats, as it would never do for the Scottish Regiments to be wearing "unScottish kilts".

I think the tartan would have to be registered. Tweed would NOT be allowed (it's too historical and NOT part of the current Tradition of Scottish kiltmaking.)

I'd like to see hand poured pewter buckles as well. No machine made allowed- even if said machine is IN Scotland.

And for heaven sake, DON'T leave off the lower right buckle or the kilt police WILL be around to investigate

You think all this is bad? Just wait until the SPORRAN police are formed

ith:

[JerseyLawyer]

And for heaven sake, DON'T leave off the lower right buckle or the kilt police WILL be around to investigate

And the Lord spake, saying, “First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin, then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.” — Monty Python

[Nighthawk]

And the Lord spake, saying, “First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin, then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.” — Monty Python

I think I just peed on myself just a little laughing!!