Scots Firms Secure Army Kilts Contracts.

**way2fractious** · 30th March 07, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Kilted KT

isn't 5,000 kilts a bit short of the total number of men in the regiment?

After following the BBC link, an earlier article stated:

MoD denies regiment kilt shortage

The Royal Regiment of Scotland's 5,000 soldiers currently have just 320 kilts between them...

The 320 kilts have been made by Argyll Bagpipes and Kilts...

An accompanying picture showed a man holding a length of Black Watch tartan. My question is: Will the Royal Regiment now use only one tartan? Or, can/will the various battalions use different tartans, such as MacKenzie, Gordon, etc.?

"At the request of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, these kilts are being trialled to ensure soldiers get the most comfortable material for a variety of weather, with the best clarity of colour and pattern."

It said a planned deployment would be agreed with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, with two battalions having their kilts by next May [2007] and the whole unit being kitted out by early 2008.

**Raphael** · 30th March 07, 03:58 PM

So are these kilts going to be handsewn or machine sewn?

**Nervous Jock** · 31st March 07, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieT100

If it's close to a US make up, figure 5 companies of 100 (4 maneuver, 1 HQ) per battalion, plus 1 Regimental HQ company of (generously) 100, and you get 3600 troops.

Uk Infantry Battalions are different sizes depending on the role and task i.e armoured or airborne etc)they have but in general will be 4 rifle Companies a fire support company and a Battalion headquarters. Normally it will be about 650 - 700 of the top of my head

**Nervous Jock** · 31st March 07, 12:37 PM

An accompanying picture showed a man holding a length of Black Watch tartan. My question is: Will the Royal Regiment now use only one tartan? Or, can/will the various battalions use different tartans, such as MacKenzie, Gordon, etc.?

The tartan that is being used is gevernment tartan 1A with the pleats being boxed. This is the only pattern being used for Kilts, less pipe bands

The situation with kit is a real shambles at the moment as there is hardly enough to go round. all ceremonial kit is held centrally in Edinburgh and is issued on an "As required basis" at the moment. I've heard this is down to buttons etc. So if you are on a parade you get issued RRS buttons which you sew on your jacket then you have to cut them off and return them.

There has also been an issue with Sporrans as they had ordered a job lot that were such poor quality they couldn't be used.

**Nervous Jock** · 31st March 07, 12:48 PM

Here is the link to the new dress regs

http://www.army.mod.uk/linkedfiles/2...egulations.pdf

You can see its a bit of a mish mash of stuff from all the regiments

i'll try to get some photos

**Nanook** · 31st March 07, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Nervous Jock

I've heard this is down to buttons etc. So if you are on a parade you get issued RRS buttons which you sew on your jacket then you have to cut them off and return them.

Why not use the metal O-rings? Jackets are made not to call to have their button sewn. (with the 20+ buttons on a no1 tunic its still some effort).

**Nanook** · 31st March 07, 01:08 PM

£1.2m to supply about 5,000 kilts over four years.

So that's about 240 GBP each. The new tartan (its not the same as the 1A that was issued to Argylls) is of a less costly grade (more like the civilian weaves) and should be cheaper but I don't know by how much. The kilt pattern is also boxed like the A&S so a bit labour and skill intensive. I imagine the work will be farmed out to independent kilt makers so profits will be derived form just how hard they can be pushed. Its interesting that the "big" contract did not go to Argyll Ltd (who have been making some really like kilts for the past few years). I curious what they are to deliver or is it just some budget to follow up with what they have already to commissioned to make?
Its interesting to note the sporran contract went "outside" but will be subcontracted to the usual players.

**Nervous Jock** · 31st March 07, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Nanook

Why not use the metal O-rings? Jackets are made not to call to have their button sewn. (with the 20+ buttons on a no1 tunic its still some effort).

Tends to be more for No 2 dress jackets, The numbers 1's have always been held centrally as they are used for for relatively few events, so they are issued too.