How much Highland attire goes to the Highlands?

[RockyR]

I am actually quite shocked, but very pleased at the numbers you posted, Artificer. Good on you! Shows that there is a market for quality goods, especially in Scotland!

My own thoughts on this topic (which I have been hesitant to bring up, but since this thread is openly discussing the topic, I wanted to shed some light where possible):

When I spoke with our Scottish sporran maker a year or so back (one of the top 3 sporran makers for volume in Scotland), I was pleasantly surprised to hear that we were his 5th largest client worldwide out of over 160 active clients (active meaning that they have purchased more than 200 GBP in the previous 2 years). The 4th largest was in Australia and the # 1 client was the UK Defense Department. The # 2 and # 3 clients were "tourist trap type shops" with multiple storefronts throughout Scotland. While this sporran maker DOES NOT (by his own admission) focus at all on international sales, he is pleased with the amount he exports to AUS, US, and Germany.

I have spoken with different mills in the UK and have been told that the majority of their business is export. Also, not many of the mills have "highland wear" material as their MAIN product (although it is usually an important part of their offerings). HOE does the majority of their weaving for home uses (curtains, upholstery fabric, etc). MM does a LOT of business in the Schoolwear trade as well as other industries. The highland wear market is strong, but if a mill is going to turn a good profit, it will have to branch out into other areas. Heck, Lochcarron was purchased a little while ago and has been going gang-busters weaving cloth for the golf and women's fashion industry over in Korea / far east.

Back to USA Kilts... While 90% of our business is in the US, I'd say roughly 10% goes to the following countries: Canada, Australia, Germany, Austria, France, Japan (in that order).

Also, RANDOMLY, our BEST individual customer, by a WIDE margin, lives in Brazil. He's purchased roughly 16 Premier (8 yard) kilts and 6 or 8 jackets from us (as well as lots of accessories), all for himself.

Because we purchase all of our good from the UK (Scotland where possible, England and Wales) and US, I can honestly stand tall and say that we ARE helping the Scottish (and UK) economy as best we can. I am not looking for a pat on the back, but just stating (to me) the obvious.

The highland wear market is not all that huge (on a international "industry" scale). Without other supplemental forms of income at the mill level, many weavers would not exist. Without overseas / tourist buyers, many Scottish Kilt makers and retail shops and wholesalers would not exist. Without those quality Scottish makers in existence, the industry would look VERY different.

I am not saying anything negative about Scottish kilt wearers or buyers. Just pointing out that there could be a bit less vitriol against overseas kilt wearers (who could also mind their comments not to offend Scots on this delicate topic). We ALL benefit when quality makers are able to stay in business b/c of increased demand, not matter where in the world that demand comes from.

[English Bloke]

Scott's figures do not surprise me at all and it will be the pursuit of the very best that drives it.

I can attest to the top end quality of Artificer's work.

I am fortunate to have a piece of it.


Artificer Sporran No. 50 with dyed to match belt and strap.

The man is a consummate professional and a pleasure to do business with.

The only issue I had with the whole transaction was my encounter with the highwaymen that are HM Customs and Revenue when it showed up. No if's, no buts, you pay whatever they tell you to pay (not an insignificant sum either) or it goes back at your expense. They should issue those Bas... err... felonious people with a mask and flintlock and a big black 'orse!

As a result, I have been deterred sufficiently from ever buying from the US again. But I suppose that is their ultimate aim.

My latest sporran's made on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. That's nice too.

[jhockin]

I would agree with the guess that more is sold outside of Scotland, for the simple reason that there are more people, around the world, who are of Scottish descent, than the number of people living in Scotland. In Canada, there are, at least 5,219,851 people who claim Scottish ancestors
( see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Canadian ) which, in means that , in one country ( other than Scotland), there are almost as many who claim Scottish ancestors, as there are presently living in Scotland; and then there are approximately 27.5 million Americans who have reported Scottish ancestry.

[Dranoweb]

So, this is my first post - and allow me to dive right into the controversial stuff.
firstly - I mean no offence here, but I've been reading this thread with interest while I wait for account activation.

couple of thoughts I have:
The first of which is: for various reason the Scottish (and Irish) were dispersed to the four corners of the globe
there are many direct descendants, and even more partial descendants (such as myself) residing in a great many countries.

Particularly the US, Australia, and NZ.
I know from experience the Australian army at times will accept a kilt as part of official parade uniform.

In summary - Highlanders need not be in the highlands to need a kilt.

The second of my idle thoughts:
I plan to be married in a kilt - out of respect for family lineage and history, and to help preserve the legacy.
not for the fashion statement. Many are the same.

lastly, and more on topic:
I would agree with previous posts, that without a world wide market, there would be far less profit to be made, and thus less access to the many quality (and sometimes inferior) goods that we all enjoy.

like it or lump it, the world is growing.

however I digress, no offense is intended, but thought I would add my two cents worth.
To assist the OP - I see a great deal of this material going to the USA and Japan when browsing online auctions.

[unixken]

...and then there are approximately 27.5 million Americans who have reported Scottish ancestry.

:: holds his hand up ::

[AcuteEnigma]

I cannot think of any reason why anyone would be upset with people wearing tartan outside of Scotland. It's not like the Scottish people invented tartan.
Besides, is not imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
Many references to early tartans in the Tartan entry on Wikipedia. One quote "According to the textile historian E. J. W. Barber, the Hallstatt culture of Central Europe, which is linked with ancient Celtic populations and flourished between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, produced tartan-like textiles." Tartan has been found in ancient China, early Central Europe and Scandinavia.

Is it the wearing of official clan tartans that upsets people?

I am upset that I could not find the Saint Andrew's Society picnic in Huntington Beach, California today. Now *THAT* is something worth being upset about!!!!!

[StevieR]

I cannot think of any reason why anyone would be upset with people wearing tartan outside of Scotland. It's not like the Scottish people invented tartan.
Besides, is not imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
Many references to early tartans in the Tartan entry on Wikipedia. One quote "According to the textile historian E. J. W. Barber, the Hallstatt culture of Central Europe, which is linked with ancient Celtic populations and flourished between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, produced tartan-like textiles." Tartan has been found in ancient China, early Central Europe and Scandinavia.

Is it the wearing of official clan tartans that upsets people?

I am upset that I could not find the Saint Andrew's Society picnic in Huntington Beach, California today. Now *THAT* is something worth being upset about!!!!!

I was going to bite my tongue on this one, but at what point in this thread has anyone expressed upset with people wearing the tartan outside Scotland? At what point in this thread has anyone said they were upset because of "the wearing of official clan tartans" (I assume by people outside Scotland)?

"It's not like the Scottish people invented tartan", regardless of the accuracy of that statement it is clearly inflammatory (to Scots and those of Scots ancestry everywhere, I would have thought) a smiley wouldn't have helped either!

Lets keep things on thread and stop spoiling for fights.

[AcuteEnigma]

What are the hissy fits about then, Steve, since I have apparently misunderstood everything?


And no, my post was not about "spoiling for a fight". I was pointing out that tartan has been around a very, very long time.

[StevieR]

Hissy fits?

I won't repeat my questions, but perhaps you could have a look at them and explain what relevance the statements made in your post have to this thread and where in the thread someone has expressed upset at the wearing of tartan outside Scotland?

[rondo]

Good grief...here we go again!
Rondo