Kilts from J Higgins

[Keith A]

I am thinking about buy a kilt from J Higgins, and since iv come to learn that before buying anything in the kilt world it is a good idea to ask here for the advice of others. I bought a argyle jacket and waist coat from them and I am very happy with them. But before going ahead and dropping cash on a kilt I would like to know who has one from them and are you happy.
thanks

[Mark Keeney]

I have 8 kilts made by J Higgins and I have been happy with all of them.
I can't tell you about the fabric they use because I have always gotten kilts made from fabric I bring in.

[Mr. Woolery]

My "tank" and my argyle jacket are both from Higgins. Our local pipe band is suited with Higgins kilts and there have been no problems. I bought my pipes through Higgins, too. He had better prices than anyone else and was willing to set them up the way I specified, which was outside of the current norm.

My experiences: John Higgins has always been courteous and helpful when I have talked on the phone or e-mailed him. The only other person I have talked with there was from the Middle East (can't remember his name) and he knows the product line, but can get confused about details on bagpipes. No problems with kilts. The one problem with the pipes (wrong reeds) he resolved quickly and with no problems.

My kilt: My "tank" is a MacLeod Hunting tartan in ancient colors. Higgins got the material from a mill in Scotland and I have no complaints. It is beautiful. The workmanship is above reproach and the size is perfect. If requested, I am sure he'd send you swatches of possible materials. I had him make my wife a skirt and he obtained a couple of swatches of the tartan silk I wanted and sent them to us. I doubt he'd balk at sending a few swatches if you are not quite sure what tartan you want, or whether the modern/ancient colors.

My wife has a silk tartan skirt and a velvet blouse made by Higgins, as well. These are no longer part of his product line, as the mill in Scotland that was making the silk tartans has stopped producing them. My wife's skirt was from the material that was still in stock at the mill.

All in all, I would not hesitate to suggest John Higgins as a source for a good kilt. Expect to wait, unless you have a size that he happens to stock (one of the other pipers in the area wanted a kilt right away and Higgins had one in stock that was her size and a tartan she liked, so it could happen). I had to wait several months, since the material had to be ordered from the mill, then the backlog of orders meant that I had to wait in line. Got it in time, though. All was well.

-Patrick

[pipesndrumsnun]

I have a JHiggins vest (second hand), a JHiggins Argylle (second hand), and have gotten jacket buttons from them...all are high quality and well-constructed. I am quite pleased with JHiggins!

[Riverkilt]

Have heard good things. I'm guessing from the price of their kilts that they are machine sewn rather than hand sewn. Looking at their website they talk about tailors and sewers, and custom kilts, but never come out and say hand sewn or machine sewn, so would guess the later. Good way to save money if hand sewing isn't that important...you might wanna double check up front though.

Ron

[sharpdressedscot]

I've heard mixed reviews, but mostly good. I don't own anything from them, though so I wouldn't know much of them.

[macwilkin]

In contrast to the other posts here, my experience with Higgins has been mixed. The first kilt I ordered from them back in '98 was very good; the second kilt I ordered in 2000 was nothing like the first. My best friend also has two kilts from Higgins, and he experienced the exact same thing.

Customer service has also slipped; when Tom took the phone orders, things were great. The new fellow's attitude leaves much to be desired at times.

I recommend Higgins for folks starting off in the Scottish community, and in terms of some accessories, they are quite good, but I can pretty much state I'll never order another kilt from them, especially with folks like Matt, Barb and Kathy producing quality kilts here in the states.

Regards,

Todd

[Nick the DSM]

hmmm, how are their prices?