Products and Services

Kilts
A full 7 or 8 yard kilt ('length' alone is not an indicator of the quality of a kilt) is a surprisingly sophisticated example of the tailor's skill. It will take an astonishing amount of heavy wear.

As an 'Army' kiltmaker, I create kilts of robust construction that will stand up to the rigors of daily wear. Each kilt is entirely hand-sewn to the customers' measurements and requirements and takes approximately 20 hours labour.

I buy my 16-oz. kilt-cloth from a custom weaver, and in 30 years I have been able to supply every request for little-known or rare tartan. If the sett exists, then I can obtain it.

I sew box-pleat Military Kilts to your regiment's pattern. I use the correct 22-oz. cloth, which I buy from a British Army contractor in Scotland. I cut the kilt to have a much lower rise than the old military kilts, which used to be worn very high on the body -frequently reaching as far up as the xyphoid process or even the ‘nipple-line’. The 'rise' on my kilts is typically no more than 1" above the navel.

Freakishly-long military kilts were originally a cost-saving measure, as by using the full width (27") of the cloth it could be reversed for a second period of wear. It was also believed that this high waist protected the kidneys from catching a chill.

'Casual' Kilts
These have become popular in recent years. they are a 'throwback' to the kilts worn by the Highland Regiments in the early years in that they are sewn from a 4-yard length of tartan cloth. Aside from the length of the cloth, they are identical in construction and workmanship to a full 7- or 8-yard kilt.

From any distance they look the same as a full kilt, and as they aren't as dear you can throw yourself into that tug-of-war or hill-run without fear that you will ruin your 'good' kilt.

It is normally only possible to pleat a casual kilt “to the sett”, not “to the stripe”. Casual kilts usually wind up having 10 pleats or so.

The problem that I have found when making a casual kilt is that each tartan will affect how the kilt may be pleated, and how good that particular casual kilt will look compared to a full kilt made from the same sett. The second problem is that the size of the customer REALLY dictates the amount of material required – 4 yards will only really work on a very lean person, 5 yards works on most fit adult men, but the …ahem...’more prominent’ customer will require 6 yards or more, and then only a full kilt will suffice.

Inverness Capes
Several years ago I was asked by a customer to make a wool Inverness Cape for him. It attracted a good deal of attention and I now offer them as part of my regular line

I make these capes from heavy Melton wool cloth with a silk or satin lining. I have added deep pockets to keep the hands warm in, and an inside pocket for a flask or what-have-you.

As with my kilts, the Inverness Cape is entirely hand-sewn and made-to-measure.

Sporrans and Belts
I am now an Agent for L & M Highland Outfitters of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The quality of their work is absolutely the best, and I very pleased to sell their goods.

Go to www.landmhighland.com and make your choices, then contact me with the stock number and I shall have it for you promptly.

Kilt hose
I keep a full range of kilt hose on hand, in a complete range of colours - White, 'Oatmeal', Lovat Green, Bottle Green, Lovat Blue, Dark Blue, Grey and Black.

I also have a source for custom-knitted, made-to-measure diced and tartan hose and hose tops.

Garter Knots
I now make Garter-knots (also called ‘flashes’) in a range of styles and colours.

Accessories
I am working with a local silversmith to produce Custom ‘jewelry’ (for want of a better word) to include Cap-badges, cuff-links, shirt-studs and rings.

Alterations and Repairs
With care, a properly-made kilt should last at least as long as the life of the owner. It is a surprisingly forgiving garment which can accommodate more alterations than any other item of clothing.

As with everything else, age will take its toll on your kilt. The lining will eventually need replacing. A strap may break. The stitching which holds the pleats together may come adrift.

Bring me your kilt if it no longer fits you or if it needs repair.

Consultant and “Dresser”

Advice:
The information contained in this site is the ‘illustrated transcript’ of almost everything I’ve said to customers before, during and after making their kilts over the past 30 years.

What I can’t impart in this site is the direct personal advice such as selecting material and assessing the drape and lapels of a particular jacket.

I have been called on to design entire uniform ensembles for pipe-bands and to provide details of Highland Dress to theatrical productions. I continue to research men’s fashions of the last 300 years, with emphasis on the period between 1816 and 1914.

Whether you need a complete outfit ‘from cap to boots’, or just need help with the final details, I can provide satisfactory service.

Valet 9-11
After making a sizable investment in time and money, many gentlemen will suddenly become ‘shy’ at the prospect of wearing their new finery, particularly if they are unused to Formal Wear.

Come to me if you have any doubts about the fit and ‘hang’ of your highland dress and I shall quickly sort you out.

Blame it on our modern era (O Tempore, O Mores), in which most heterosexual men left to their own devices will dress as though they’ve come to clear the gutters.

On several recent occasions I have not only completely outfitted a groom but have acted as his ‘dresser’ on The Day. Think on it – the bride can hardly be seen for the various people dancing attendance on her, while the poor groom is usually staring at shirt-studs in mounting consternation, ‘assisted’ by a sniggering Best Man with a flask in his pocket.

The presence of an calm, efficient ‘dresser’ to lay out the clothes, assist with the tie, studs and links, wield the lint-brush and generally act like a benevolently impartial Sergeant-Major adds a greatly enhanced sense of occasion to what otherwise threatens to be a Very Long Day Indeed.

(I rather think that given another era and a different station I would have made a dam’ good ‘Jeeves’)

Piper for weddings or funerals
I am a piper with over 30 year’s experience. I have played in several pipe bands (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions Royal Canadian Regiment being the most famous) and am fully aware of ‘piping protocols’ for weddings and funerals.

I can provide my services in a variety of degree of formality, from Full Dress to Casual and have played at many veterans’ funerals in Highland Battledress.