Another "What Kilt" thread.

[ohiopiper]

I'll seek the advice of the experts here, and tell my story/situation. Laid off piping for more than a decade due to life happening. Two wars, marriage, kids, etc. My wife prodded me into taking the bagpipe up again a few years ago. I'm probably going to begin taking gigs again this summer or spring and will need a kilt. I've decided on tatan, the MacKay Modern, since it's my wifes clan and she's the one who prodded me into piping again. It will need to serve for many more formal occassions than informal. St. Patricks Day is once a year, people get married, burried and have birthdays all year long. My band kilt, dating from the late eighties, no longer fits my fat butt. I know nothing about it except it was the kilt I purchased to match everyone else in the band. It's predominantly green. End of my wisdom regarding that subject.

Now my questions. 1) Will a 5 yard do, or is an 8 yard that much more formal looking? My experience has been solely with band kilts, 20 years ago.

2) I am predisposed to get a wool kilt. Any reason to look harder at PV?

3) I'd like to support either a local business or a forum advertiser. Admittedly, USAKilts is on the top of my list right now because they advertise here and are somewhat local (neighboring state). Any reason to put them (him) on the back burner for a bit? I know a lot of this has been covered elsewhere, but I guess I'd like specific answers to ease my mind before dropping a few hundred dollars, plus accoutraments.

Thank you, I hope to soon be part of the official rabble.

[Big Mikey]

First, welcome aboard. Now to your questions.

1) I think you'll find the general consensus is that an eight yarder will look a bit more formal owing to the greater amount of fabric which in turn allows for more pleats.

2) Wool is a great choice as it usually holds pleats better. The advantage of p/v is lighter weight so it can be more comfortable in warmer weather and it is also machine washable.

3) It is great that you want to support our sponsors. I've not purchased from Rocky at USAKilts but I know those that have are very pleased with the product and service.

Best of luck on your future endeavours.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Hullo.

1) It depends on pleat style. If you go with a Newsome Box Pleat, for instance, five yards would be plenty. However, Matt tends to have a rather lengthy waiting list. If you're looking for what most people expect "a kilt" to look like, I strongly suggest going for full yardage. But take a look at Rocky's site, at the photos in each kind of kilt, and decide for yourself. If you're still not convinced, drive on out and visit him.

2) Most fellas will tell you wool is the material of choice. Again, I say, get a swatch of each. I have a P/V kilt by Rocky, and I'm extraordinarily fond of it. It does have to be admitted that PV has a very different "hand" than wool. Some like it better, some don't. And some believe that wool, woven in Scotland by Scottish sheep, is the only way to go. If you're that guy, PV isn't for you.

3) Rocky is a fantastic fellow, an X-Marks member and advertiser, and is a wonderful businessman. A couple of years ago, he helped me out of a tight sartorial spot, and I can not say enough good things about him, his products, or his customer service.

The one and only thing that can be said that might influence you to look at another kilt maker if you're thinking about Rocky and USA Kilts is this: Rocky does not hand-sew his kilts. In my opinion, that's not a flaw. I'd set my USA Kilt up against any hand sewn for quality and comfort. But some people are gung-ho for tradition, and believe that the only way to go is hand sewn. If you're that person, Rocky is not your kilt maker. Otherwise... go get your kilt!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If this kilt is going to be used as your uniform for piping gigs, and it is to be your only kilt (at least for a while), I'd really reccomend a standard 8 yard knife pleated kilt in heavy weight wool.

When people hire a piper, many times they are hiring a "look" as well as a "sound" and you really want to look the part. Even though I am a huge advocate of the four yard box pleated kilt, and I've made many for pipers, people are more familiar with the look of the 8 yard knife pleated kilt. If it is in your budget, especially since this is going to be your one and only kilt, that's the way I would steer you.

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/kilts_8yd.htm

I'd go with the heaviest weight that falls within your budget.

[ForresterModern]

Mackay tartans can be a bit confusing as to which ones you are talking about. There is MacKay Modern, MacKay (aka Morgan ancient) and MacKay blue, any of which may be what you are looking for, many of which are interchangeably called one another. More specific details and maybe a picture of your actual desired tartan would be helpful.

For MacKay Modern Scotweb's tartan search engine turns up three 16 oz tartans by Lochcarron Strome, Marton Mills Jura, and House of Edgar Nevis range, all at different price points. With your xmarks discount (obtained by entering their website via clicking on their advert top right this page) you can get Scotweb (an advertiser here) to make your 8 yd Balmoral knifepleated partially handsewn kilt in MM Jura for $332.52US or in HoE Nevis for $303.47 including shipping. Lochcarron Strome would be considerably more. It may be able to be had cheaper at other non-advertising vendors but not by much. Compare to Rocky's or Steve's prices or those of the other vendors on the site.
You may be able to talk Josh at Skye Highland Outfitters into doing the MacKay modern in his Standard Kilt for $299 but it does not list Mackay modern as a tartan option, only Mackay Ancient, Mackay Ancient Blue, and Mackay Blue, which may or may not be what you are desiring in tartan coloration. Heritage of Scotland, not an advertiser here and often not recommended by forum members for a variety of reasons, lists their 8 yd machine sewn kilt in MacKay Modern at $260 for MM Jura and $270 for HoE Nevis including shipping. I have several of their kilts and they are well made, but if you search the forum archives you can get more history on the mixed emotions about potentially ordering from them and why. I have never had a problem.

My personal recommendation would be use Scotweb for their Balmoral 8yd MacKay Modern in HoE Nevis for just a tad over $300---good service, quality workmanship, Nick their proprietor is a regular here on the forum and will ferret out problems if they come up, and turnaround time is usually pretty good, if the tartan is in stock. If you can come up with a better price on comparable stuff from another xmarks vendor then you could go that way and save a few bucks along the way.

[MacKay71]

If this kilt is going to be used as your uniform for piping gigs, and it is to be your only kilt (at least for a while), I'd really reccomend a standard 8 yard knife pleated kilt in heavy weight wool.

I'd agree with Matt as to what type of kilt to get. Here is a picture of some ofthe different MacKay tartans from the Clan MacKay site.

Mackay tartans on display. Left to right: Weathered Mackay, modern Mackay, modern Morgan, weathered Morgan and ancient Mackay. I like the ancient MacKay best.

[RockyR]

I'll address your points 1 and 2... I'll leave # 3 to others for obvious reasons...

If you're already looking at a wool kilt, know that it is the best material that a kilt can be made from, period. PV is a great (IMHO the BEST) alternative when cost or alergies are a factor, but there is nothing like wool.

If you're only going to get 1 kilt, get an 8 Yard kilt. You can always dress it down for the event, as well as dress it UP for ANY event.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Here's another thing. You mentioned you were thinking of buying your kilt from Rocky because he's (relatively) close to you. Rocky maintains a brick and mortar store... if you're going to go to the expense of buying a wool kilt, take a road trip and go see him! Handle the fabrics, look at his wares, talk to the man in person! At very least, it will be educational.

[Pleater]

I make my own kilts, and although I still have some in lightweight materials and cotton, I very soon began to make them from longer lengths of fabric, 6yards would be an absolute minimum, and progressively heavier weights of wool blends and then wool.

The longer lengths and the heavier fabrics make all the difference to the swing of the kilt when you move.

Only if you are going to be overheating cut back on the length - keep the weight as high as practical.

Your appearance is all part of what you are selling - and it would be a false economy to buy a kilt which you wish to replace as soon as you see photos of yourself.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[ohiopiper]

Thanks for the input. I have to admit that I'm pleasantly surprised to find the difference in 8 yard and less kilts is less than I expected. I surfed a few shops online and saw kilts for well over 500 dollars. Looks like I can get a good 8 yard for much less from places you've pointed me to.

I'm aware that when folks hire a piper, they have certain expectations. That was the focus of my question, will other people notice. If the difference is that great, I may as well go for the better kilt now. 8 yard it is.

I have no allergy to woll and Ohio isn't exactly a tropical climate. 8 yard wool.

As far as tartans go, I've looked at the several MacKay tartans and my understanding is as follows: The weathered and ancient tartans are representative of what an old kilt in "standard" color would look like today. If I'm wrong, please correct me. My wife has no connection that she knows of to the Morgan, so I'm looking at MacKay Modern. I understand there will be slight variation from mill to mill, but that should be only in shades of color, not complete differences. Again correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks again.