Kilt makers... any recommendations?

[Davie]

Gents,

Come to that stage in my life were I need to get myself a kilt.

I've been round a couple of kilt hire / sales places and to be honest wasn't that blown away by the knowledge / enthusiasm for me to spend a few quid and were very vague about such things like lead time, how the tartan would be set with the pleats and so on.

Been quoted £295 up to £375 depending on the availability of the tartan and the weight however I'm just wondering if anybody can recommend a kilt maker who I can deal with directly, ie cut out the middle man... not to save money, but to be able to see their work and get some good advice.

I'm Dunfermline way but happy to travel within reason.

Cheers

[Jer_1974]

Makes kilts for most of the shops anyway.. http://www.glenislakilts.co.uk/

Edit: Sorry, don't know if they deal direct with the public but he did me a job a few years ago.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Thursday 4th February 21:03

[ABZ RS6]

Highly recommend R.Doig who have shops in Montrose and Forfar (plus a few other I think).

Have used the Fofar branch a number of times for made to measure outfits for sons school formal wear and subsequent alterations as he grows and great service each time.

Proper traditional tailors who actually seem to care about service.

[Technomad]

Had mine made by (or through) Clan Kilts in Stirling. Very pleased with both their attitude and the end result. Others locally have good experiences with a maker in Pitlochry (can't offhand remember which one, sorry). For a full-weight, full-length job, the upper end of the scale you're being quoted sounds about right.

[Rockatansky]

It's been a while (20 or so years), but I had my kilt made by Jean O'Rourke- http://www.jeanorourkekiltmaker.co.uk

I should probably go to see her again myself to have it adjusted. It must have shrunk, there's no other explanation why it could be so tight these days.....

[woodysnr]

http://mackay-and-stewart.com/ used them for hire only but was very impressed by the service and quality of the product

Edited by woodysnr on Friday 5th February 22:30

[salguod]

I got a kilt and trimmings for my 21st a few years ago from Caledonia Highland Dress in Abernethy, not far from Bridge of Earn.

They seemed fairly clued up and it was a two or three week lead time from sizing up for them to complete. My brother bought two kilts from them ages ago and I'm thinking I might head back there at some point soon for a tweed jacket and waistcoat as an alternative to my Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat.

[Spitfire2]

Geoffrey Tailor in Royal mile are very good. But if you are getting a full outfit will be more expensive than your quotes.

[Davie]

Thanks gents, lots of options there so will get on the case on Monday.

At the moment, just after a kilt / sporran and the basics as I'll hire the jacket and waistcoat to suit when the time comes.

That said, looking to build up a couple of 'kits' around said kilt so certainly if there were deals to be had, I'd happily get the whole lot.

Popping along to see Archibald Don on Monday as he comes recommended by a friend.

Need to hire a few outfits too so as said, much appreciate the recommendations.

Cheers

[marshal_alan]

depends what you are wanting it for but these guys down in greenock are sound http://www.kilts4less.com/

think they supply almost every snp activist in the west of scotland

[PKLD]

Got my kilt made (& full outfit for my wedding) in 2014 and my Dad had his made here as well:

http://www.macdonaldkiltmakers.co.uk

Not the most charismic service but he really knows his stuff - it's only when you compare to my mates kilts and hire stuff that you appreciate the difference and effort of details. Little stuff like the belt loops following the same vertical line pattern of the main kilt etc

Can't remember cost as it was a present from my folks but don't think they're seen as 'expensive'

[theRossatron]

Speak to Howie at http://21stcenturykilts.com/

Great knowledge and not just your run of the mill, off the rack stuff.

[GoneAnon]

Spitfire2 said:

Geoffrey Tailor in Royal mile are very good. But if you are getting a full outfit will be more expensive than your quotes.

Mine came from there too. Happy to recommend them. I believe that Howie of 21st Century Kilts is the son, so they have kilts in their genes. The registration number K1 LTS proves it!!!

[FRA53R]

salguod said:

I got a kilt and trimmings for my 21st a few years ago from Caledonia Highland Dress in Abernethy, not far from Bridge of Earn.

They seemed fairly clued up and it was a two or three week lead time from sizing up for them to complete. My brother bought two kilts from them ages ago and I'm thinking I might head back there at some point soon for a tweed jacket and waistcoat as an alternative to my Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat.

I had my kilt made there when I was 16 and it is still brilliant, properly made and sits just right, they build in a fair bit of adjustment so that it is likely to last. I was a 26.5 inch waist when I got it made it's now still fitting me well at 32" after getting the extra material let out. They provide a lot of highland dress for many pipe bands and have pictures all around the shop of that, tbh if that's not an endorsement I don't know what is. They are also very reasonable price wise.

[Halmyre]

FRA53R said:

salguod said:

I got a kilt and trimmings for my 21st a few years ago from Caledonia Highland Dress in Abernethy, not far from Bridge of Earn.

They seemed fairly clued up and it was a two or three week lead time from sizing up for them to complete. My brother bought two kilts from them ages ago and I'm thinking I might head back there at some point soon for a tweed jacket and waistcoat as an alternative to my Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat.

I had my kilt made there when I was 16 and it is still brilliant, properly made and sits just right, they build in a fair bit of adjustment so that it is likely to last. I was a 26.5 inch waist when I got it made it's now still fitting me well at 32" after getting the extra material let out. They provide a lot of highland dress for many pipe bands and have pictures all around the shop of that, tbh if that's not an endorsement I don't know what is. They are also very reasonable price wise.

I got my kilt from Geoffrey Tailors 15 years ago and it still looks good, although I've probably worn it on average only once a year. I got an Argyle jacket from Caledonian Highland Dress in Abernethy partly because it was actually made in Scotland rather than in the far east, but it's a nice jacket as well. Had to order it though because the Scottish rugby team had been in the week before and cleaned them out.

[m3coupe]

A bit late reply but I used Janet Eagleton in Perth for my kilt. Excellent service and she offers a very clever way of folding the kilt at the back which people still comment on to this day when I wear mine. If you want a custom sporran as well, her son can make it out of anything and I mean anything, Irn Bru can sporran was there when I picked mine up which was made for the manufacturers outfit.

Can't recommend her and her son enough.

[CourtAgain]

Stumbled across this thread, and thought I would recommend Ward Kilts in Glasgow. Personal service and attention to detail. Lynne Ward trades as Tartan Couture on Facebook and Ebay.
Here's a Red Gordon tartan, me trying to get a decent picture with my then 1 year old daughter