Hands Aff Oor Kilts!

**highlander_Daz** · 29th February 08, 10:58 AM

It depends what context your using the word "Scottish" (Iam not keen that word anyway I much prefer "Scots" I am a Scot not Scottish!!

if the word "scottish" is used to describe a Kilt as a Scottish Kilt in relation to its country of manufacture or "Scottish" because of where its made. There is already a law against describing any item manufactured abroad as "made in Scotland", however the Goldies always put "designed in scotland" to get round it.

"if their attempt is successful it would mean that only kilts that were hand sewn, made in Scotland and made from pure wool could be known as a Scottish kilt"
what if the wool was from Ireland and the strops from china but made in Scotland. ?

all that will happen is the stuff will be sent from india or pakistan and pleated and straps sewn on in Edinburgh sweat shops.

it would be better just to educate people that the tut shops sell Rubbish and thats that.
I think its all part of Howies feud with the Singh/gold bros

**Monkey@Arms** · 29th February 08, 10:59 AM

Since the problem is really about the perception of unfair competition in Scotland (and even more narrowly to the retail stores in Edinburgh) I don't understand why they just don't pursue truth in labeling laws about country of origin etc., as opposed to EU regulation.

Frankly I think the whisky or cheese analogies are poor ones, as one can argue that in some food products the place of manufacture is actually significant as to its flavor and characteristics, where as two kilts sewn by the same individual doesn't differ depending on where that individual is sitting.

Best regards,

Jake

**Farlander** · 29th February 08, 11:16 AM

I learn something new all the time from this forum. From the end of the article:
"Traditionalists insist that the plural of kilt is also kilt, rather than kilts."

Some how to my ear, saying "I own three kilt" does not sound quite right.

**macwilkin** · 29th February 08, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Pour1Malt

sorry Caj... ai dinnae insinuate....

ai say whit ai mean....

Newsome an' Lare mak fine kilts... (frae whit ai am told- ai dinnae own their kilts)

but they dinnae mak Scottish kilts...

if ai reverse whit ai said will it mak it clearer?

Scotch is a fine drink.... but ya wuid nae ca' it Bourbon.....

Crystal, Robertson.

Matt, Kathy, Barb, et al. never claim to make "Scottish" kilts, but I am afraid that too draconian of a measure here would unfairly lump them in with the people this effort is designed to fight.

People on this forum are always saying you don't have to be Scottish to wear a kilt; given the handiwork of our American and Canadian kiltmakers, I don't think you have to be Scottish to make a guid yin either.

T.

**Jock Scot** · 29th February 08, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Since the problem is really about the perception of unfair competition in Scotland (and even more narrowly to the retail stores in Edinburgh) I don't understand why they just don't pursue truth in labeling laws about country of origin etc., as opposed to EU regulation.

Frankly I think the whisky or cheese analogies are poor ones, as one can argue that in some food products the place of manufacture is actually significant as to its flavor and characteristics, where as two kilts sewn by the same individual doesn't differ depending on where that individual is sitting.

Best regards,

Jake

Taking your "person sewing the two kilts" and expanding it a bit.It would make one heck of a differance if one kilt was made from a cloth of ,say any of the major cloth makers and a kilt made from "Harris" tweed.There is an act of Parliament protecting "Harris Tweed".Protection,right or wrong,already exists in the Scottish cloth world.

**tartanfish** · 29th February 08, 11:55 AM

I agree, the kilt is a national dress, not a fad or costume. Give the garment what it deserves, a symbol of our Scottish pride. A quality product made by a craftsman who knows his/her craft and treats the process with dignity.

**Clockwork John** · 29th February 08, 11:56 AM

Most clothing sold in the US is labeled with:
1. Material type
2. Country of production

Would not this type of labeling solve the problem without offending or insulting non-scots kiltmakers?

eg. "100% Scottish Wool, made in Scotland" or "100% Scottish Wool, made in USA" or "100% Acrylic, made in Pakistan"

With that sort of label, people would know exactly what they are getting, and the "traditionalists" could still claim that theirs are "authentic."

**macwilkin** · 29th February 08, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Crusty

Most clothing sold in the US is labeled with:
1. Material type
2. Country of production

Would not this type of labeling solve the problem without offending or insulting non-scots kiltmakers?

eg. "100% Scottish Wool, made in Scotland" or "100% Scottish Wool, made in USA" or "100% Acrylic, made in Pakistan"

With that sort of label, people would know exactly what they are getting, and the "traditionalists" could still claim that theirs are "authentic."

Matt Newsome already does this.

T.

**McClef** · 29th February 08, 12:12 PM

Full marks to those who give accurate information on their labels.

Trouble is we know that many do not and as long as such information is voluntary they will keep on using misleading stuff. The "good guys" already proudly proclaim such information, others need to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into conformity.

Policing protections throughout the whole world is not easy especially when not all governments have subscribed to the concept of international property and copyrights. But at least a few loopholes could be plugged in those that do.

How much of the world's Cheddar cheese is made in Cheddar?

**Tattoo Bradley** · 29th February 08, 12:16 PM

HAHA

I do understand the intent of Howie. I really do. But, these guidelines are a bit silly.

Does the person sewing the kilt have to be a Scottish Citizen? What if Barb were on vacation in Scotland and picked up some cloth in Edinburgh and sewed a complete kilt in her Edinburgh hotel room at night? So, that kilt would then be a "Scottish Kilt"? But, the hundreds of others she'd previously made are different? Or what about the fact that Kathy Lare was trained to make kilts in Scotland by a Scot (by invitation at that.) Read her awards and qualifications here. Can you still say the likes of her deserve to be lumped with the crap peddlers??

And I couldn't agree more that the Whiskey/Whisky/Cheese analogies are "apples and oranges." Bourbon and Scotch are made from different ingredients. So, of course you would never call one the other or vice versa.