How much Highland attire goes to the Highlands?

[RockyR]

I am actually quite shocked, but very pleased at the numbers you posted, Artificer. Good on you! Shows that there is a market for quality goods, especially in Scotland!

My own thoughts on this topic (which I have been hesitant to bring up, but since this thread is openly discussing the topic, I wanted to shed some light where possible):

When I spoke with our Scottish sporran maker a year or so back (one of the top 3 sporran makers for volume in Scotland), I was pleasantly surprised to hear that we were his 5th largest client worldwide out of over 160 active clients (active meaning that they have purchased more than 200 GBP in the previous 2 years). The 4th largest was in Australia and the # 1 client was the UK Defense Department. The # 2 and # 3 clients were "tourist trap type shops" with multiple storefronts throughout Scotland. While this sporran maker DOES NOT (by his own admission) focus at all on international sales, he is pleased with the amount he exports to AUS, US, and Germany.

I have spoken with different mills in the UK and have been told that the majority of their business is export. Also, not many of the mills have "highland wear" material as their MAIN product (although it is usually an important part of their offerings). HOE does the majority of their weaving for home uses (curtains, upholstery fabric, etc). MM does a LOT of business in the Schoolwear trade as well as other industries. The highland wear market is strong, but if a mill is going to turn a good profit, it will have to branch out into other areas. Heck, Lochcarron was purchased a little while ago and has been going gang-busters weaving cloth for the golf and women's fashion industry over in Korea / far east.

Back to USA Kilts... While 90% of our business is in the US, I'd say roughly 10% goes to the following countries: Canada, Australia, Germany, Austria, France, Japan (in that order).

Also, RANDOMLY, our BEST individual customer, by a WIDE margin, lives in Brazil. He's purchased roughly 16 Premier (8 yard) kilts and 6 or 8 jackets from us (as well as lots of accessories), all for himself.

Because we purchase all of our good from the UK (Scotland where possible, England and Wales) and US, I can honestly stand tall and say that we ARE helping the Scottish (and UK) economy as best we can. I am not looking for a pat on the back, but just stating (to me) the obvious.

The highland wear market is not all that huge (on a international "industry" scale). Without other supplemental forms of income at the mill level, many weavers would not exist. Without overseas / tourist buyers, many Scottish Kilt makers and retail shops and wholesalers would not exist. Without those quality Scottish makers in existence, the industry would look VERY different.

I am not saying anything negative about Scottish kilt wearers or buyers. Just pointing out that there could be a bit less vitriol against overseas kilt wearers (who could also mind their comments not to offend Scots on this delicate topic). We ALL benefit when quality makers are able to stay in business b/c of increased demand, not matter where in the world that demand comes from.