Heritage of Scotland Kilt Reviews?

[Richrail]

I have two HoS PV kilts in "Ramsay Blue and Freedom" same as the budget kilt from BuyaKilt. For everyday wear, hiking and working in the yard I don't have to worry if something bad happens to them as I would with a very expensive wool kilt.

[ForresterModern]

I have owned 2 HOS 8yd heavy weight wool kilts which they now call their John Morrison traditional wool kilt. John Morrison was an independent kiltmaker in Edinburgh of good reputation, from what I have gathered from some older sources, but which was acquired several years ago and is now just a brand name HOS puts on some of their items, in particular their wool kilts. The two I owned were of good materials and seemed outwardly to be sturdily built, and my only problem with them was that I used the measurements I had made for my first kilt by JHiggins, and ended up with two kilts that were clearly oversized, for my body. Probably the "different kiltmakers, different measurements" phenomenon. Had them "adjusted" by having the straps reset and then they fit fine, even if the sporran strap lops were then out of alignment. I shed them a while back after having obtained several handsewn kilts form at least 4 different kiltmakers in tartans I preferred more. Also, after being inspired by a thread started by Tobus about his post wear subsequently ill-fitting kilt which I believe has been immortalized in a sticky somewhere on the forum, I took stock of the underpinnings of each and every one of my kilts and discovered that these two and two others made by another Scottish retailer with relatively cut rate pricing at that time were built using a discontinuous and somewhat flimsy stabilizing material instead of a continuous and sturdy one. My best fitting kilts, the ones that did not require hitching up or belt cinching tighter or strap adjustment after wearing for several hours, were those with the continuous stabilizer. After a couple more wearings, and comparings to my other kilts, I decided that I would sell the two HOS kilts at a significant discount to others who have seemed satisfied with them since.

I have since used HOS for some tartan purchases, as they occasionally have some good discounts on specific special tartan that I doubt even the independent kiltmakers on the forum could match, and then have a kiltmaker put in the labor and construction detail. But even those deals are drying up coincident with my desires for further kilt acquisitions.

My only 5 yard kilt was one from Burnett & Struth, and while I think the quality of their work is a decent bargain for their price ($200 at the time), it was very much lacking in those structural features that most satisfied me in my handsewn 8 yard kilts. So I sold it too. My only limited yardage kilt is a 6 yard 18 oz handsewn Kingussie pleated kilt by John Hart at Keltoi, which is built to the standards of the other handsewn tanks and which shall remain in my kilt closet for the foreseeable future.

I am sold on 8 yard, mostly heavyweight (12-16oz) wool tartan kilts, preferably handsewn. As others have said, you get what you pay for. I would rather pay a bit more to get good tartan and a well made kilt, even if it costs twice what a lesser kilt would cost, and would then rather scrimp on accessories until I can afford better. Remember your kilt "outfit", begins with the kilt, it is the anchor of your dress, and quality in the end will out.

[cable scot]

I should have waited to post after FM. That is what I wanted to say. I also have an Argyll jacket from HoS that I have no problems with, But as Riverkilt has said you can have any two of three, price, quality or service. As a consumer you get to pick Which two you want.

NOTE: BEWARE OF CUSTOMES CHARGES! Fed Ex WILL charge you a fee to import things from the U.K. Royal mail ( U.S. Postal ) may not.

[KiltFitz]

I bought a second hand kilt off ebay a couple of months back which I intend to use as a spare for events in hot weather. The label says John Morrison, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh but I do not know if it was made before or after the HoS buyout of the brand.

It's clearly a low-yardage kilt but appears to be good quality heavyweight tartan. The construction is not like a heavyweight kilt since the pleats rise all the way to the waistband without being cut away but it seems fine.

I haven't given it a run out yet as I want to shift the buckles two inches to bring it in but a kiltmaker friend of mine looked it over when I got it and concluded that it was quite well made as low yardage kilts go, and apparently the lack of stabiliser won't affect a kilt of this yardage. It is well lined with hair canvas and cotton and when I pull it round to fit tight on my waist, it looks good at the back with crisp pleats holding the sett well.




Hope this is useful

Fitz

[Laird_M]

I've bought various items for myself and several kilts for the wife and kids and never had any problems. In fact we were looking at a new kilt for our youngest on thier site last night as they have a pv Scottish national for only £20.

I've used their customer servies as one item was delayed, and they couldn't have been more helpful.
I'd have no qualms recommending them.

[WillowEstate]

I have two HoS 8 yd PV kilts, about $50US each including shipping to the USA. Pleating shown in the photos (note that these are recently worn so please disregard the dog hair and wrinkles!). At the price point, no complaints. The fabric is heavy, lots of pleats, and for round town or to the pub they are fine.

Attachment 14902Attachment 14903

The picture on the left is similar to the look of mine, your vertical double white lines have been hidden in the same way as my red ones and the pleats look to be slightly different widths.

But, as you say, at the price point, much better for routine use, rather than risk a high quality wool kilt.