Edinburgh Kilt shop metamorphosis

[M. A. C. Newsome]

'Factory' makes me think 'consistency.'

That may be part of it, but I think the connotation that "factory" has for most people centers on the "mass production" aspect.

An individual artisan can create products with a consistant quality because of his skill. For example, when I was making my first kilt, I had to concentrate in order to make my stitching even, and even then my stitching was not consistant. Now, after making some 350 +/- kilts, I can make even, consistant stitching almost with no conscous thought.

Yet no one would describe me as a "kilt factory." The word factory implies mass production and mechanisation. Yes, it also means consistancy. But when it comes to a traditional heritage garment such as the kilt, I think most prefer the consistancy of a skilled craftsman over the consistancy of an impersonal mechanized production process.

[Phil]

On second thought, they probably do have pride....in their souq tradition. And they have brought the souq look to a town that had no souq.

Gold Bros are Sikhs and as such have nothing to do with a souq. Their background is as market traders and tradition I would see as "pile it high and sell it cheap". I did notice that someone from "Heritage of Scotland" had posted here recently so perhaps they can shed some light on the subject.

[tyger]

The souq is not their native tradition, to be sure. However, the appearance of their establishment- and what I understand some to have reported as their business practices- seems to suggest that they have adopted it, in every way ("high and cheap"). In any event, there are several issues here, one of which is the native tradition of Scottish merchants, and the invasion or encroachment that many see as adversely altering the physical appearance of the merchant landscape. Signage and display ordinances would go a long way to correcting existing, and avoiding future, negative impact on that landscape. Myriad positive economic advantages come from strong Historic Preservation efforts.

[Phil]

Signage and display ordinances would go a long way to correcting existing, and avoiding future, negative impact on that landscape. Myriad positive economic advantages come from strong Historic Preservation efforts.

Sadly Edinburgh council is not very assiduous in maintaining the appearance of the city. If only they would replicate the effort they put into collecting fines on illegally parked vehicles the city would be pristine! What cannot be appreciated from the photo is the excessively loud pseudo-Scottish music which is blared out onto the street by each shop, competing with each other to produce a dreadful cacophony. This is the immediate vicinity of the shop and the scaffolding you see next door has been there for a number of years now -

[McClef]

Sadly Edinburgh council is not very assiduous in maintaining the appearance of the city. If only they would replicate the effort they put into collecting fines on illegally parked vehicles the city would be pristine!

Few people I know seem to have a high opinion of the Council!

I wonder what they do with all that money from the fines - certainly not on improving the city!

[Colonel MacNeal]

When ya see the word factory I get the idea of MASS Production lines with POOR Quality a standard.

Like American cars?

[NorCalPiper]

I can't help but wonder. Are the 3 brothers native Scots of Indian ancestry? I've noticed that it seems that Sikhs tend to love Scottish culture the most (I think there is actually a "Singh" tartan thats officially registered. I've also seen a Sikh bagpiper that was one of the best I've ever heard.). Being married to a southerner of Indian ancestry, you'd think I'd know more. I definitely seem to notice a lot of "Sikkhism" in Scotland itself....More so than here in the south. The last 2 links are of a Sikh pipe band (Probably not a real good one, but one none-the-less)

http://www.stylelist.com/blog/tag/Sikhs/

http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/war...g.239870_t.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsikhnet/211437476/page2/

http://www.sridasmesh.com/

[macwilkin]

I can't help but wonder. Are the 3 brothers native Scots of Indian ancestry? I've noticed that it seems that Sikhs tend to love Scottish culture the most (I think there is actually a "Singh" tartan thats officially registered. I've also seen a Sikh bagpiper that was one of the best I've ever heard.). Being married to a southerner of Indian ancestry, you'd think I'd know more. I definitely seem to notice a lot of "Sikkhism" in Scotland itself....More so than here in the south. The last 2 links are of a Sikh pipe band (Probably not a real good one, but one none-the-less)

http://www.stylelist.com/blog/tag/Sikhs/

http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/war...g.239870_t.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsikhnet/211437476/page2/

http://www.sridasmesh.com/

You are quite correct; Sikh and Scottish soldiers traditionally had good relationships during the days of the Raj, just as the Jocks and Johnny Gurkha did. And yes, there are at least two Sikh tartans, both designed by Lord Singh, who is a passionate devotee of Robert Burns:

http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=87&cat=8

The 3rd Battalion, of the Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army still maintains pipers; they wear the Rattray tartan, in honour of Rattray's Sikh Regiment:

http://clanrattray.org/sikhregiment.html

As a personal note, my grandfather had nothing but the greatest respect for the Sikhs that he came in contact with in India. Sikhs were frequently used as policemen in China, and the American servicemen knew not to mess with them. Their greeting to every Anglo they met was a simple, "Hi, Johnny!"

Our Scottish society hosted a "Sikh night" several years ago in which a local Sikh gentleman came and talked about Sikkhism to our society, and Lord Singh. We even catered in samosas and pakoras from the local Indian restaurant!

T.

[attworth]

From the "John Morisson" website :

Description: This Kilt is made to measure to the very highest standards by our expert kiltmakers in Scotland.

Our premium quality five yard kilts are hand-made by highly experienced kiltmakers to your own specifications. Made from a full 5 yards of kilt material (not from 4 yards like our competitors). The front edge has two fringes, and we also include two belt (or sporran strap) loops at the back.

If your tartan is not here there is still a chance we can get it so just email us or call us and we will try our best to help.

....


Normal price: £ 115.00
Price with package: £ 99.49

That should say enough.

[ixoyedeg]

I just hate seeing the words "kilt" and "factory" in the same context.

I agree, and add to that the word "outlet" and we have strike three.