Kilt shop

[pinkpickle]

I am going to Scotland I a few months and would like some advice as to the more reputable shops in Scotland....not worried about price, quality of product and service far more important

[The Wizard of BC]

Can you be just a bit more specific? Where in Scotland do you plan to visit?

[Father Bill]

A personal perspective with deep respect and both happy and sad experience:

There are of course marvellous kiltmakers in Scotland... and a few disasters.
There are marvellous kiltmakers closer to home... and a few disasters.

If something goes wrong with your kilt in either production or should you lose (or heaven forbid, gain) weight or if it needs subtle repairs, do you want to ship it back to someone you met once, or drive down the road and stand in front of the kiltmaker who put the thread in the needle and the needle in the cloth?

I am a firm believer in dealing with people you can go back to... but that's a personal perspective based on doing it both ways. I have owned four kilts and still own two. I buy locally.

Now... a sporran or a sghian, or hose - if they're in front of you and the quality is good, why wouldn't you, wherever you are?

[pinkpickle]

here there be dragons:

It is not about the need to purchase a kilt or kilt products, it is about the experience of being in a Kilt shop in Scotland...I have several Kilts I have purchased here in Canada....I just want to be able to say I was there....if the mood hits I might buy, but most likely not....I also want to see the difference between a Kilt shop in Scotland and one here in Canada...was not overly impressed with the two I visited, but that could just be me, also I found them both very expensive by comparison to the one in the USA I visited....It is about learning and seeing things from a different perspective...

A personal perspective with deep respect and both happy and sad experience:

There are of course marvellous kiltmakers in Scotland... and a few disasters.
There are marvellous kiltmakers closer to home... and a few disasters.

If something goes wrong with your kilt in either production or should you lose (or heaven forbid, gain) weight or if it needs subtle repairs, do you want to ship it back to someone you met once, or drive down the road and stand in front of the kiltmaker who put the thread in the needle and the needle in the cloth?

I am a firm believer in dealing with people you can go back to... but that's a personal perspective based on doing it both ways. I have owned four kilts and still own two. I buy locally.

Now... a sporran or a sghian, or hose - if they're in front of you and the quality is good, why wouldn't you, wherever you are?

[Steve Ashton]

If you are in Edinburgh you owe it to yourself to walk the Royal Mile. Look into all the shops selling the Pakistani goods. Then when you get to a kilt shop the comparison will be amazing.

I just hope that when you do walk into your first Scottish kilt shop that you have a better experience than I did.

When I visited Scotland for the first time after becoming a kiltmaker I of course wore a kilt. I wear one everyday. When In Edinburgh I walked into the Geoffrey (Tailor) shop half way down the Royal Mile. There was a single male clerk in a sport coat and pants at the far back wall setting out stock on the shelves.
As I entered the shop the little door chime rang. Yet I was able to walk half way the length of the shop before the clerk turned around or acknowledged me.

As he turned around he said - "Oh, another American came to Scotland and bought himself a kilt."

Needless to say I was just a bit taken aback. The only thing I could think of in response was - "Actually sir, I am a Kiltmaker. When a customer enters my shop they are greeted immediately and with a smile and handshake by a guy in a kilt. The way I was just greeted means, you sir, just lost a sale." I then turned on my heel and left.

[Stephan]

If you are in Inverness you could stop by Chisholms. They are just across the road from the castle in the city center. Still in Inverness you could drive 25 minutes to Campbells of Beauly (in Beauly). Just a few years ago it was still owned by the original family members so it was like walking through a time warp as you entered the shop. Now, I'm not sure they still make kilts under the new ownership but they are vendors of excellent woollen wear so I think it's worth a visit. Besides, the drive is pretty and so is the village. Enjoy!

Stephan

[tpa]

If you are in Edinburgh you owe it to yourself to walk the Royal Mile. Look into all the shops selling the Pakistani goods. Then when you get to a kilt shop the comparison will be amazing.

I just hope that when you do walk into your first Scottish kilt shop that you have a better experience than I did.

When I visited Scotland for the first time after becoming a kiltmaker I of course wore a kilt. I wear one everyday. When In Edinburgh I walked into the Geoffrey (Tailor) shop half way down the Royal Mile. There was a single male clerk in a sport coat and pants at the far back wall setting out stock on the shelves.
As I entered the shop the little door chime rang. Yet I was able to walk half way the length of the shop before the clerk turned around or acknowledged me.

As he turned around he said - "Oh, another American came to Scotland and bought himself a kilt."

Needless to say I was just a bit taken aback. The only thing I could think of in response was - "Actually sir, I am a Kiltmaker. When a customer enters my shop they are greeted immediately and with a smile and handshake by a guy in a kilt. The way I was just greeted means, you sir, just lost a sale." I then turned on my heel and left.

I am really sorry to hear that Steve, I hope that in the intervening years things have changed. I have not been in the shop for many a year, but earlier this year was in touch with Geoffrey (Tailor) trying to match up a waistcoat (vest) to go with one of their jackets and they were extremely helpful and went to quite a lot of trouble on my behalf, just on the basis of a phone call. It was a female I was dealing with and I don't know what she was wearing. She was either warehouse or head office based, not in either shop, so it did not seem relevant.

I'll make a point of checking up on the shop when I'm in Edinburgh in September and report back.

[Steve Ashton]

Would you also confirm for us if the news stories are true about the building Geoffrey's main shop at the top of the Royal Mile was located in was sold and his old shop now being a brewpub.

[OC Richard]

I was able to walk half way the length of the shop before the clerk turned around or acknowledged me.

That part is fine with me. I actually prefer exploring a shop without having somebody hovering about.

he said - "Oh, another American came to Scotland and bought himself a kilt."

Depending on my mood I might have felt this was merely cheeky and agreed with him, or felt it was mildly insulting and walked out.

I would have never have been in that situation in the first place, as when packing for a holiday in Britain I leave my Highland Dress at home.

The only time I've worn Highland Dress in Scotland was when on a band trip, and our band was in the act of performing. None of us would dream of wearing our kilts when not actually performing as a band, certainly not for going shopping.

[tpa]

Would you also confirm for us if the news stories are true about the building Geoffrey's main shop at the top of the Royal Mile was located in was sold and his old shop now being a brewpub.

I'm not sure what you are referring to Steve, but I'll check. As far as I can see the Edinburgh shop is still where it always was at the bottom of the High Street, confirmed by Google maps May 2016. It does however look a little like the frontage may have been cut in half, with Dino's Cafe in the other half. I cannot remember accurately, but seem to recollect the door on centre or RHS with a lot of the stock upstairs. The address is still 57-59, but what is there looks more like 59 alone on the ground floor. Perhaps one of our Scottish residents can clarify?