I count my blessings...

[Robin]

Before I joined this forum...without proper knowledge I ordered my 1st kilt...the 8 yards 16oz Caledonia (mod) from
Highland Traveller-Scottish Touch

Their online shop looked fine and the price seemed okey also (I compared several online shops)...£300 (incl. VAT).
Before I ordered the kilt I had an email conversation with them...to make sure I took the right measurements and ordered my 1st kilt...

So far so good...

First kilt in the pipeline...fine...err...what's next?

Panic!

I realised I needed more as "just a kilt"...more stuff...and above all more knowledge. I like to do things right.

So I started to search the net for more information...and stumbled upon this forum.

Oh! how nice! Perfect!
I read about the whole forum, looked at lots of pictures and learned a lot in a short period of time.

Soon I realised I ordered my kilt without knowing anything about the shop and the quality of their kilts (not much info on their website).
I also figured out I prefer the "pleated to the stripe" above the "pleated to the set"...for this tartan.

I started to worry a bit...in fact I was terrified...did I made a terrible mistake?

I mailed Highland Traveller and asked for more information about the kilt I ordered...who's the weaver? who's making my kilt? will it be pleated to the set or stripe? (when I ordered it I didn't even knew about this).

And I got this answer....

Dear Robin

Thank you for shopping with Highland Traveller, Scottish Touch

Your Kilt should be ready for around mid December, manufacturing time is a
bit longer at this time of the year.

The Fabric you have chosen is woven by Loch Carron one of Scotland's biggest
and oldest Mills, probably producing the best quality tartan in the World.
Our own Kilt maker is unable to make your Kilt before Christmas so we have
asked Loch Carron to make your Kilt.

Your Kilt will be of a very high quality - you simply wont get a better
quality Kilt... Anywhere.

Most Kilts are made to set, this includes yours, however you still have time
to have it made to stripe if you prefer?


Regards

Stewart MacInnes
Sales Team

So the tartan is woven by Lochcarron and the kilt will be made by Lochcarron also...and (after another email) it will be pleated to the stripe :grin:

I'm happy now! Sheer luck though...

[switchblade5984]

well its good to know you will be happy with your purchas

[Graham]

I'm glad you're satisfied, especially after forking out 300 quid, but they make a bold claim....

you simply wont get a better
quality Kilt... Anywhere.

I'll be very interested in your review of the kilt when it comes.

[Robin]

Well...when I ordered this kilt it was my plan (if I had a plan at all...) to just get 1 kilt, so I picked a traditional heavyweight.

Now I sort off have a plan and will get more kilts (this forum to blame ) and since I'm not a rich person this will go with a slow pace and most will be less expensive.

I just felt rather stupid I ordered something without knowledge and I'm now pleased it will be made by Lochcarron, because they seem to be respectable weavers and kiltmakers.

The "wont get a better" remark is indeed bold and probably a bit over the top.

I'll post a review for sure, but since it's my first I've nothing to compare with.
Will post pictures so you guys can judge it properly

[HeathBar]

Robin,
Don't feel stupid about buying a kilt before doing the research. I would say that a majority of pepole didn't do research when buying their first kilt either. Most people don't know about this forum until they already have one or two.

I'm sure the kilt you are getting is going to be a quality investment. I think Locharron is a reputable mill and they wouldn't want to put their mill's reputation on the line, by producing shoddy kilts.

I think on this forum, we learn how to take our new kilts, and apply them to everyday life. How to make the same kilt part of a formal outfit and a casual outfit, by utilizing different accessories. We learn about the different kinds of kilts: modern, contemporary, traditional, solid, tartan, tweed, knife pleats, box pleats...the list goes on.

There is a wealth of kilt knowledge here just waiting to be tapped. And before you know it, you'll be offering advise to someone who just bought their first kilt.

Congrats on gettting your kilt they way you wanted it.

[Sherry]

It looks like you will be getting your money's worth, Robin. So all's well that ends well.

Sherry

[Riverkilt]

Think you'll be spoiled for anything less when it arrives...enjoy!

Ron

[GMan]

Congratulations!


A kilt for a life time, well done!

[Robin]

Jonesing, jonesing, jonesing...and some more jonesing...

[Jerry]

Robin,
Don't feel stupid about buying a kilt before doing the research. I would say that a majority of pepole didn't do research when buying their first kilt either. Most people don't know about this forum until they already have one or two.

I'm sure the kilt you are getting is going to be a quality investment. I think Locharron is a reputable mill and they wouldn't want to put their mill's reputation on the line, by producing shoddy kilts.

I think on this forum, we learn how to take our new kilts, and apply them to everyday life. How to make the same kilt part of a formal outfit and a casual outfit, by utilizing different accessories. We learn about the different kinds of kilts: modern, contemporary, traditional, solid, tartan, tweed, knife pleats, box pleats...the list goes on.

There is a wealth of kilt knowledge here just waiting to be tapped. And before you know it, you'll be offering advise to someone who just bought their first kilt.

Congrats on gettting your kilt they way you wanted it.

You are right about not knowing anything before ordering a first kilt. I found this forum while searching the net to find somewhere to post complaints about the company (clan Walmart) from which I ordered my first kilt.