Is Nicoll Bros. under new management?

**RockyR** · 21st March 07, 09:41 AM

Gaelic Themes (based in Scotland) does the "regimental" shoe. Not sure about the quality of the Regimental series as I've never ordered one.

I DID just find a place that does wider sized brogues (based in Canada). Price on them will be $135 and they'll take 4 to 8 weeks as they only do them as custom, not standard. We can get them in leather or rubber sole.

**Nanook** · 22nd March 07, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Gaelic Themes (based in Scotland) does the "regimental" shoe. Not sure about the quality of the Regimental series as I've never ordered one.

Gaelic Themes is a mainstream supplier and their goods are midstream among Highland outfitters in quality. These shoes may indeed be "the best" among the ghillie brogues but that just reinforces my observation that the market contains no good quality shoes. To my knowledge Army issue shoes to the Highland Regiments are not of the ghille brogue style and most were made in Northhampton (or at least, these days, supplied by companies such as Sanders based in Northampton: http://www.pediwear.co.uk/stock.php?range_ID=3). To my knowledge also proper "regimental" shoes would be more a brogue with silver buckles, balmoral brogue (such as the Sanders Braemar) or even a plain black derby. Better shoes in these styles were, I think, purchased at own expense from the typical suspects John Lobb, George Cleverley, Edward Green or Crockett and Jones. Alden and Allen-Edmonds make similar styles of shoes at more attractive price points (between $300 and $600 USD).

I DID just find a place that does wider sized brogues (based in Canada). Price on them will be $135 and they'll take 4 to 8 weeks as they only do them as custom, not standard. We can get them in leather or rubber sole.

Custom, good and $135 seem almost too good to be true even for shoes via Asian jobbers--- better running shoes (almost all made in China) are pushing into that price league. Are these made on lasts to width (I'd need a narrow and long) and welted? How is the cut and the quality of workmanship and leathers?

**RockyR** · 22nd March 07, 06:56 AM

I'll be honest (not like I'm normally NOT honest)... I'm probably nowhere near as educated as you when it comes to shoes... Brogues or otherwise. I try a pair on and if they fit, GREAT! If they fall apart in a week, I won't buy them again and I'll complain to the people I bought them from and get my money back.

So far, no one has complained about ANY of the brogues we've sold. Honestly, there are VERY FEW customers of ours who will be looking for a $300 + shoe and we really don't see a need to carry them until requested. Some people only buy the best. For the rest of us, the $120 brogues will suffice. I'm not looking to make Ghillie Brogues the main thrust of our business, so the $120 pair will be fine for us.

As a last point of clarification, the shoes ARE made in the UK (and the Candian shoe company makes theirs in Canada).

**Nanook** · 22nd March 07, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

I try a pair on and if they fit, GREAT!

But if they are not made to different widths and with different lasts to fit different foot forms then how they fit?

If they fall apart in a week,

Poor grade shoes don't fall apart in a week. They use "top grain" leathers-- never gets a good patina and show irreparable scars to the slightest of scuffs. The shoes might not fall apart but start to look well worn in short order-- and don't provide good fit or support. Good shoes can be worn for many years and can even look better with wear (patina). Good shoes are not the finishing touch on an outfit but the starting point. What's the point of a an expensive bespoke kilt of the finest woolen tartans and cheap ruddy shoes?

So far, no one has complained about ANY of the brogues we've sold. Honestly, there are VERY FEW customers of ours who will be looking for a $300 + shoe and we really don't see a need to carry them until requested. Some people only buy the best.

In general I'm just too stingy to buy low grade shoes.

For the rest of us, the $120 brogues will suffice. I'm not looking to make Ghillie Brogues the main thrust of our business, so the $120 pair will be fine for us.

I've love to be able to only spend $120 on a good pair of shoes. Unfotunately its been some times since that was possible (a candy bar used to cost 5 cents in the US).

As a last point of clarification, the shoes ARE made in the UK (and the Candian shoe company makes theirs in Canada).

I know that the Dollar CDN is often called a "Canadian Peso" but I did not realize that wages can be so low as to allow one to make a custom shoes for $135.

As a point of reference most all American brands of shoes including some top names such as Stacey Adams, Florsheim, Nunn Bush, Cole Haan, Timerland and many others are, for the most part, made abroad. In New England the only shoe maker left is Alden. Allen Edmonds makes their uses in Wisconsin and Maine.

Shoes are an international business.

**RockyR** · 22nd March 07, 12:33 PM

While I understand your concerns with quality and the desire to buy the best quality shoe, it is not necessarily the top item on everyone else's list. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

**Splash_4** · 22nd March 07, 12:39 PM

Hey Rocky, Since you asked so nicely. I found wide ghillies here.... http://kiltstore.net/sr_strut_1112W

**RockyR** · 22nd March 07, 12:45 PM

Thanks Splash. I actually found out that 1 of our Ghillie suppliers can get them in wide sizes (would take a little bit longer). Granted, they're not the ultimate ghillie of only the very highest quality, but they are the same price & quality as our stock ghillies (what you'd expect from a $120 pair of shoes).