Hot Stuff!

[ChromeScholar]

Anything sold in the US has to meet certain standards for flammability. If, on the other hand, you pick up something in another country, or order something off the internet from a dealer in a foreign country, those protections are not necessarily in place.

May I suggest that's another reason for those of us in the US to deal with businesses in the US, whenever possible?

[Nick the DSM]

wow, i think most kilts that SWK sells are acrylic too. thanks for the heads up!

[ChromeScholar]

Yes, they are, except for the Heavyweight, which is wool. However, they are also sold in the US, which means they have to meet the standards set by the various acts and laws that regulate fabric/clothing sold in the US.

[Nick the DSM]

hmm, so i guess you should be very careful while wearing them, eh? do you think they are also mixed with something else than acrylic?

[Nick Fiddes]

I feel it best not to add further to the somewhat incendiary (geddit?) effect my previous remarks appear to have had, except to apologise sincerely again to anyone whom I've offended by appearing to diss their feelings when in truth I meant only to express my own. I do accept the value of the 'stepping stone' effect, and other points well made (and sometimes strongly made) have been taken on board too...

Might I suggest Nick, that armed with this evidence and a "legitimate" concern that you go to your appropriate safety authority....

You may recall that at the outset I was in fact reporting this as a colleague's initiative, rather than my own. I learned today that a meeting has indeed now been set up with a senior representative of Trading Standards and also a member of parliament I believe.

No, but one more thing. I have been accused of malice. And perhaps I am indeed guilty of that. But if so it's directed in only one direction. There has been a growing debate here in Edinburgh about the whole 'tartan tat' issue becoming the ruination of the city's historic centre, and of the nation's reputation for visitors. Barely a week goes by without another story in the local press concerning the one extended family at the centre of it... be it the issues debated above, allegations of copyright infringement destroying traditional skills, violent assaults on their neighbours (criminal charges have been brought) antisocial noise pollution, or the despair of surviving local traders at the squeezing out of anything authentic. I doubt much will change quickly, but it's clear that a lot of sincere people from all walks of life share my feelings of disgust, and want to see something done. This isn't just about one fabric versus another. It's about the destruction of a much-loved heritage, largely at the hands of one unsavoury family with no real roots in, or links with, any authentic culture, who seem to scorn the traditions they cynically plunder and prostitute. Excuse me if my contempt for them shows.

[ccga3359]

Although I was not offended by your post I did respond in a manner that might be taken as you being biased based on race. I do apologize to you personally for this. My thoughts were, at the time and now, that your comments seemed biased against another business of cheaper product (in all definitions of the word). Granted I cannot and should not comment on the situation of the Royal Mile as I have not witnessed it myself. The same can be said of the degradation of your heritage as a result of this situation as it isn't my heritage.

It is great news that the flammability issue will hopefully be investigated further. Although this decision is not as a result of our discussions on this forum. I would like to think that the ruffled feathers here were not in vain. Dr. Nick, you have my apologies and my hopes that the issues in Edinburgh improve.

[Nick the DSM]

huh, looks like there's two Nicks here. sorry offtopic.

wow, thats a mess in Edinburgh

[Thebes]

Anything sold in the US has to meet certain standards for flammability. If, on the other hand, you pick up something in another country, or order something off the internet from a dealer in a foreign country, those protections are not necessarily in place.

I would like to note that when I got my Stillwater Economy I did take the trouble to perform a burn test on a long strand off of the fringe. It DID burn and continue to burn after a flame was remove, but not with anywhere near the vigor that the Gold Bros acrylic seems to have.

I do this sort of thing because I typically heat with a wood stove, and because the nearest fire department is over a half hour away.

I do not see my SWK as any more dangerous to my safety than, say, an acrylic sweater. I would not normally wear either while tending a fire, but for most people I don't see a major hazard. That could be, and probably is, different with the Gold Bros kilts. Does the UK not have safety standards on clothing?

[Nick Fiddes]

Just a wee footnote, having re-read my words from late last night, that it might sound like my feelings are partly racially motivated. I can say with hand on heart that this has nothing to do with colour, religion, or even indeed place of birth. Scotland has a long and proud history of welcoming all-comers (widespread resentment at English rule notwithstanding, but that was a political resistance thing and not racial) and I have no problem at all with anyone who contributes to our business or cultural life, whatever their background. My problem is with its being plagiarised and with unfair competition, for that's what I regard it is when anyone consistently operates to close to the margins of the law (to put it politely) taking advantage of a culture where business ethics still mean something, and with no concern for the damage done to the very traditions they exploit. I know it's possible to do business very successfully by playing hard but also with a conscience, as some of the greatest figures in history have shown. It's also possible for unpleasant people to get rich by shady and abusive practices. I just don't like the latter. That's my personal feelings on the matter.

[MartinGrenoble]

Just a wee footnote,(...) My problem is with being plagiarised and with unfair competition,(...) taking advantage of a culture where business ethics still mean something ...

Be glad then that the French and the Dutch voted against the so-called constitution for Europe, which contained nothing at all about cooperation, but insisted on competition throughout. As for ethics, that was the least concern of those that devised the document, based on the "rules" of the self-appointed WTO, the least democratic body known since the pharaohs.

If these people had their way, you would have no recourse whatever against competition of any kind.

Martin
ps: there is, of course, an exemption from WTO rules; although GB cannot impose quotas or tarifs on Pakistani kilts, the USA can put stiff duties on Scottish kilts.