Hot Stuff!

[Bob C]

But seriously, making millions by shamelessly selling life-threatening crap to adults, let alone to kids, utterly disgusts me.

What's your take on the tobacco industry?

As for the flaming demonstration, my wife's pantyhose would react to flames the same way. Are you advocating that all acrylic fabrics be banned?

[Nick Fiddes]

What's your take on the tobacco industry?

As for the flaming demonstration, my wife's pantyhose would react to flames the same way. Are you advocating that all acrylic fabrics be banned?

Okay, since you ask, no I don't like the tobacco industry, nor most other drug dealers either. But despite that I believe most prohibition does more harm than good, and have no wish to ban acrylics. My posting was about public awareness, not authoritarian bans.

And I'm sorry to have to say that don't know your wife's habits well enough to comment directly (honest!) but I think in practical terms a swinging kilt is probably enormously more likely to contact a naked flame (see scenario above) than most positions she is likely to get into. But please do tell us otherwise...

[Chef]

Unfortunately the city council in Edinburgh has done nothing to stop the tartan tat that seems to be consuming the Royal Mile, and until the proliferation of these types of shops is at least curbed than I see that there is little to be done about the situation.

Growing up close to the Royal Mile I find myself disgusted by the cheap crap that is passed off to tourists these days. There was a time (not that long ago mind you) that just saying you had you kilt made on the Royal Mile was impressive. Now with few exceptions it means cheap crap. I do believe it is only a matter of time before the city council acts however. They are coming under increasing pressure not only from the Edinburgh populace but from Parliament as well.

People are quick to pigeon-hole lawyers as lairs and cheats, but in my opinion, the advertising industry is a million times world.

Truer words were never spoken.

I don't have a problem with anyone selling the cheap kilts. For some folks, that's the only way they'll ever have a kilt of any kind.

I understand the point but respectfully disagree. There IS a place for affordable kilts made of non-wool fabric for those of us who do not have the means or inclination to wear all wool all the time. Yes, those upper end kilts are carefully hand crafted and indeed a work of art. But to say that those are the only "true kilts" is not fair. Many people have been introduced to kilts by trying affordable acrylic kilts and work their way up to an all wool "tank."

I, for one, have acrylic kilts, wool kilts, polyviscose kilts, and cotton canvas kilts. I, for one, have hand- and machine-sewn kilts. I, for one, have paid as little as $30 for a kilt, and as much as $500. I, for one, think there's room in the kilt industry for all kinds of kilts, and in the community for all kinds of kilties.

Personally I think we should use a word other than cheap when we are discussing good inexpensive kilts. There is definitely a place for "value" kilts; examples being Stillwater's Standard or Heavyweight or Rocky's casual kilts (and others) but these are far and away better garments than the cheap cr*p being passed off by Gold Brothers and others like them on the Royal Mile. I realise they sell more than these, but they sell plenty of what is being referred to here.

Whether it's machine stitched in Pakistan or made from leftover tablecloth material it is not possible to make a proper kilt for the price of a cheap pair of pants and it doesn't matter whether it is a traditionally styled tartan kilt or a new style Amerikilt or Utilikilt. Ask any of our kit makers there is simply too much work involved even if it isn't a custom made kilt.

The tourist trap cheap kilts on the Royal Mile barely pass as a kilt from across the street, never mind if you are within 20 feet. With a possible very few exceptions I do not believe that there will be any sizeable increase in kilt wear because of the sales of these. Most of the ones sold will never see the light of day except as jokes. I've spoken to a few store clerks who sell them and trust me these kilts are not being bought for serious reasons.

There is a market for value kilts and I hope it grows, but this cr*p should be relegated to the skip!

"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the cheap price is forgotten."

A true sage

As for the flaming demonstration, my wife's pantyhose would react to flames the same way. Are you advocating that all acrylic fabrics be banned?

Not all acrylics are as flammable as this, and acrylics can be treated to resist flame, of course that makes them slightly more expensive. A kilt or any skirt is more likely to come in contact with an open flame (i.e. fire place) or another ignition source (i.e. portable heater) than a close fitting garment like pants or pantyhose, so very flammable materials should probably not be made into kilts or other skirts.

And of course I know not everyone can easily afford a full traditional kilt hand-made for them. This is a luxury product. But, in my own eyes (and I suspect most lovers of Scottish tradition would say the same) I'd have far more respect when I see someone in a slightly moth-eaten second-hand example in any old tartan than in a plastic substitute for the real thing. Same price. :-)

Only one word needed....AMEN