where to buy a kilt

**David Dubh** · 21st July 11, 12:26 PM

Thanks for all the input. On the tax front I don't have to pay the VAT on the purchase. Since the wife and I will be in Scotland for two weeks we are each entitled to bring back $750 in personal exemptions. When we arrive back in Canada we declare goods to follow when they arrive which can be months later you present your customs declaration form to the carrier who then has to send your stuff back to customs who will reasses it and reduce or eliminate the duties. I have done it before no problem the only inconvenience is the extra customs delay. But well worth it unless you are in a hurry.
David

**English Bloke** · 21st July 11, 12:34 PM

Post withdrawn... Self censorship.

**Damocles** · 25th July 11, 06:01 PM

being a tailor i would like to put my 2cents in on this hand made vs. machine made garments and this can be generically applied to any quality garment it is true that hand stitching has more control then machine work how ever machine stitching is 3 to 4 times stronger. there are parts of a kilt that benefit greatly from machine stitching. such as applying the wast band. this is the part of the kilt that needs to be vary strong in order to take the waitey load of 8 yards of fabric. if you are an experienced and superb tailor then there is no reason that machine stitching can not be applied to a garment in such a way as to garinty a long and useful life with excellent draping over the body. after all the way a kilt or any garment hangs is a skill of the cuter and pattern maker as well as how it was stitched together. only the best hand sewers can create stitches that are as even and strong as a machines work. there are stitches that are applied to the binding off of edges and interfacing that to do by hand would add a considerably amount of time that can be achieved with Machine sewing in vary short order. thees types of bindings are hidden inside the garment and no one can ever access them to see if they are hand sewn unless you take the garment apart. they do not fundamentally shape of have any thing to do with how a garment would hang but they do have every thing to do with how a garment will last over many years by controlling ravel and damage to the movement of seams and such.
so is hand sewing better? some times in the controlling of the pleat set and general contouring. then hand sewing is Superior and any good tailor that is interested in his of hers longevity as a tailor would make the effort. but as i have already out lined there are parts that would benefit and make a better garment over the years of its life with machine stitching. so a mixture of both is optimal. i have purchased from scotweb and they are of the same opinion as i. tho we differ on just what things should be hand sewn and which should be machined.
so sorry if that was long winded but i think the more important question. is the kilt a good one? dose it use quality fabrics? is the tailor committed to his or her craft? and do they stand behind there work with the pried of generations of tradition? and Know how?
and ultimetly the truest mark of quality is do you love your Kilt?
Paul Baswell

**MacMillans son** · 25th July 11, 08:21 PM

David, you may want to consider one of the many wonderful kilt makers in North America and save all the shipping, tariff and customs costs and delays.

I can personally recommend both Bonnie Heather Greene and Kathy Lare's work as top notch, and they are also exceptional values.

Best of luck!

**Riverkilt** · 27th July 11, 09:00 PM

Forrester Modern has one, check his gallery, or use google images and you'll get a bunch.

Good luck with it cousin.

**Pour1Malt** · 29th July 11, 07:50 AM

if ya cannae stay- ya can always pop by fur a dram!

cheers!

**Beertigger** · 29th July 11, 02:25 PM

I'll second the recco for a stay at Ferintosh. A great place in a great little town.

And have dinner at the Mustard Seed while you're in Inverness. And some curry in Glasgow. and... ; )