Dutch Friendship Kilt Arrived!!

[Gryphon noir]

Very nice! If the tartan were more available, it could rival the Isle of Skye. I suppose that might depend on local environment--it certainly looks good in yours!

[kennethrmc]

Super kilt Ron!

[Riverkilt]

I agree with the potential popularity. Maybe Jeff can speak to the difficulty of prying the fabric loose from the owners.

The main website is http://www.dutchfriendshiptartan.eu/ but even their pictures don't show the true beauty of the tartan. If you click on the "tie" link (Das if you don't translate) on the left column there's a photo of a bow tie in Dutch Friendship tartan that shows the true beauty of this tartan. Think subtle beauty like Isle of Skye or Maple leaf.

[Mike_Oettle]

Nice kilt, Ron. I especially like the oranges in this one.
Regards,
Mike

[English Bloke]

I've always admired that tartan since I first saw it. I'm envious.

[cessna152towser]

Wow!
That kilt looks absolutely superb Ron, as does the landscape you have chosen in which to model your new kilt.

[ForresterModern]

Beautiful kilt, beautiful tartan, beautiful landscape in which to take your, as usual beautiful pictures. As you said Ron the tartan is nothing short of magnificent, regal in its color coordination and much more impressive in person than any photo can demonstrate. I can hardly wait for the kilts for Carter and myself to arrive sometime soon we both hope. Pictures will be forthcoming.

As for acquiring the tartan, at first it seems simple enough as the website lists kilts, ties, etc.., as well as tartan length in various weights and prices. Unfortunately the site is in dutch, and even with google's translator on it is still a bit tough to navigate. The last difficulty comes when they list NO ability to ship outside the EU, so you would have no idea what additional shipping, and of course potential customs, costs may need to be incurred. So I initially made my inquiries by email, but they were slow (being kind here) to respond but did answer my questions, albeit in a somewhat fragmented way. Once I knew how much I wanted (after getting Ron in on the deal) I contacted them directly by phone and it only took two calls to finalize the deal. The first was to check on the availability (sorry, none in stock right now but we can send an order to Lochcarron soon depending on the size of your needs) as well as to confirm the subsequent shipping charges, method of shipping (so I could figure on customs duty or not) and the timeline for anticipated delivery ( not as accurate or fast as I had hoped but still acceptable). From start to finish it took about 5 months to get the tartan (16 oz Lochcarron strome) but in the end, due to some fortuitous fluctuations in the valuation of the Euro, it came in at a reasonable price and in good condition, luckily with no duties assigned. Ron got his piece sent directly to Kathy Lare so he did not even get to drool over the tartan first, mine is off at Bonnie Heather's workshop awaiting her magical needle to complete its appointed rounds. Soon Carter and I hope to be joining the exclusive club with Rober Pel (canuck), Ron (Riverkilt) of being proud Dutch Friendship Tartan kilt owners/wearer's. In our case it is a two-fold honor---first to honor my wife's heritage as she is full blooded first generation Dutch American (and thus our son half dutch), and second, for me to honor the ancient origins of the Foster name from Richardus Forrestarius of the hereditary Counts of Flanders, a territory now in Belgium but originally of Dutch and mixed northern french heritage.

So if anyone is interested in the tartan work though the contact info on the DFT website dutchfriendshiptartan.eu and be patient but persistent, they are nice folks running a pretty small shop and may not be as timely in their responses as some would hope for, but they are easy to work with, once you traverse the minor language barrier (they speak dutch well but english not so well), and eager to sell you their product. Good luck.

jeff

[Riverkilt]

Much gratitude for all your efforts for sure - and for letting me piggy back on the order.

I remain most frustrated that the camera cannot capture the subtle beauty of this tartan. When the sun returns I'll try some more. Meantime, the best pics of the true look of the tartan in the sun are the tie/das link on the DFT website or on the STA site for the DFT tartan - though that representation makes the colors seem harsh when they are very subtle - a la the Isle of Skye and Mapleleaf tartans...sooooo beautiful in the sun. Indoors its about like the photos, outdoors it blossoms into magnificence.

[English Bloke]

Cheers Jeff. Great write up. It's always fascinating to read about the trials and tribulations that people go to, to get exactly the Kilt they want. Glad it worked out for you both and as Ron said. Not common in North America. (or here for that matter.)