Hodden Gray kilt fabric...where?

**NorCalPiper** · 9th May 11, 04:00 PM

Well....I've emailed both regiments last night and have not received word back. I have, however, been given a VERY good lead that might lead me straight to unused stock!!!!! I will be calling tomorrow and just can't wait. If I can score a premade tank I will be more than happy! I'll keep everyone posted on this adventure!

**NorCalPiper** · 11th May 11, 10:24 AM

OK.....So I spoke with this "source" early this morning and I have struck out again. This person had 60 Hodden Gray kilts that were surplus, but he sold them off on ebay over tha last 3 years......So no luck there. I have yet to hear from either of the regiments as well. What about custom weaving? Is there a secret science to their coloring (pink, gray, fawn undertones?). This is turning into a fun challenge...

**NorCalPiper** · 11th May 11, 10:43 AM

OK.....More info. I found this at the STA-
Hodden Grey and is woven by Johnstons of Elgin for the Regiment. Confusingly there is a quite separate London Regiment tartan at #6097.
The graphic here does not represent the fabric but is just a ‘space-filler’ since this computer programme can’t display marled fabrics.

I went to their web site, and they seem to be a large retail chain, with no apparent contact. Quest keeps on!

**celt72** · 12th May 11, 11:54 PM

Keep up the search! I've been wanting a hodden grey kilt for a while now also. Hopefully you'll succeed!

**Downunder Kilt** · 13th May 11, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

OK.....More info. I found this at the STA-
Hodden Grey and is woven by Johnstons of Elgin for the Regiment. Confusingly there is a quite separate London Regiment tartan at #6097.
The graphic here does not represent the fabric but is just a ‘space-filler’ since this computer programme can’t display marled fabrics.

I went to their web site, and they seem to be a large retail chain, with no apparent contact. Quest keeps on!

Josh I also checked the site and found the following

JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN

Online
You can order securely online 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week from our website. We accept the following credit cards for secure online payment: VISA Credit Card, VISA DELTA Debit Card, MasterCard Credit Card, Switch UK Maestro Debit Card, VISA Electron Card. If you encounter any problems or have a special request, you can email us at (shop@johnstonscashmere.com).
By Telephone
Simply call +44 (0) 1343 554040 to place your order. Please have product codes and credit card details ready. Lines are open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, please leave a message on our answering machine and we will call you back.
By Post & Fax
Seasonal collections are available through our mail order service. Please request a catalogue to ensure you receive the latest collections and offers. If you have a copy of our latest mail order catalogue, you can complete the order form using block capitals and return it with a cheque or credit card details to:
Johnstons of Elgin Mail Order
Newmill
Elgin
Moray
Scotland
IV30 4AF

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 13th May 11, 04:03 AM

Johnston's is not simply a large retail chain, they are a manufacturer and weaver, as well. They have been a family owned business since 1797. In fact, they are the only such producer in Scotland I am aware of that still does everything in house.

Most weavers will have at least one part of the production process performed elsewhere, such as the spinning and/or dying of the yarns, or they may send the woven cloth out for finishing, etc. But Johnston's does everything on premises, from cleaning and carding the raw fleece to making the finished product (be it a scarf, blanket, etc.)

Really nice premises to see, I took a tour last September. Nice, too, that the company is still family owned.

**NorCalPiper** · 13th May 11, 07:09 AM

Ha! simple as that....A few transfer to the right person, and was finally able to speak to someone. They had a vague idea of what this was, but not 100% sure, and since it was late friday, they would be calling me back Monday with complete information. The bad news is that the person said that at the very least they could weave it.....60 meter minimum. She didn't indicate price. I guess the "if you have to ask" thing may apply. Hopefully they have some in stock! More to follow Monday.....Oh and thanks for the # downunder , it was different than the one I found and ended up being the right one!

**OC Richard** · 13th May 11, 02:41 PM

Some photos just for the fun of it!

I have never seen these stars or pips or whatever they are placed around Pipe Major's Badges of Office elsewhere...

**NorCalPiper** · 13th May 11, 11:47 PM

Man......the more I'm looking at this, the more I want one!

**MacSpadger** · 14th May 11, 02:57 AM

FYI, their are currently two weights of hodden grey worn by the London Scottish P&D. The original kilts are very thick and scratchy, like the aforementioned army blankets. Two years ago it was decided to get a lighter weight of kilt for the pipes & drums when it came to "walking out dress".

This was a private order. The members of the pipe band that wanted a lighter weight kilt had to pay for their own, but as it was a large order, it wasn't that expensive, around £200 if I mind right. I am a fairly frequent visitor to Horseferry Road, where I indulge in a Thursday night blaw, but didn't take part in getting togged out at my own expense. The kiltmaker was based in London, (I remember he had a particularly glamorous female assistant doing the measuring, dressed up to the nines in high boots and a basque type outfit), but I didn't pay much attention to who he was or where the fabric came from, (probably because of the glamorous female assistant).

John Haynes, composer of the well known tune Cockney Jocks, has an argyll jacket and even a tie made from the hodden grey to go with his kilt. It looks superb, IMHO, but even John had to go down a very long road to get the fabric.

Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.