Just because you shop on The Royal Mile does not necessarily mean that you pay 'tourist' prices!

There are reliable, long-established kiltmakers in that area of Edinburgh and, yes, there are small (and not-so-small) tourist trap shops as well - those are the ones to avoid like the plague!

Hector Russell has shops in The Lawnmarket and on Princes Street (the latter has the larger selection of everything to do with traditional Highland dress and would be my choice of the two. The Lawnmarket shop is very small, is close to the Castle and is probably slightly angled to tourist sales). My choice above all others would be Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd at 57-59 High Street (Part of the Royal Mile), right next to John Knox's House. This is a highly reputable kiltmaker whose prices are fair and which remain constant across all their branches.

A final word. You must appreciate that if you want authenticity and reasonable quality you are going to have to pay slightly more for it - but you will never regret that. Buy a cheap jacket from a touristy souvenir type shop, where kilts are displayed at £35/£50, and you are asking for trouble and massive disappointment later.

Shop carefully and you'll be fine, but question the Sales Assistants as to the origins of the jackets. Feel and compare the fabrics as you would with any item of clothing anywhere - you can tell the difference between quality and tat, I am sure!

Believe me, genuine kiltmakers on The Royal Mile, or anywhere else, are not going to rip you off - but, as in any large city, there are sharks who import rubbish from overseas, who will.

Enjoy Edinburgh. It's a fantastic place (and in full Edinburgh Festival flow right now). I'll be there next month for a few days, after the Festival crowds have dispersed!