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Ceilidh Culture celebrates of all Scotland’s traditional arts scene. During March and April over thirty organisations will contribute to events which showcase home grown talent from children’s workshops to concerts and award-winning folk clubs. As part of the festivities there is also the annual traditional street fair on which takes place during the Easter weekend at Castle Street. Attending events inspired by Scotland’s traditional culture there is no better time to display a flash of tartan, take a look at our selection of Kilts.

Re-Designed is a new initiative involving Scottish designers, manufacturer and textile producers. The aim of the project which is part funded by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland is to promote Scottish design on an international stage. As part of New York’s Scotland Week events twelve carefully selected exhibitors will be showcasing their work in the city. The exhibition will move to Glasgow’s Lighthouse gallery in June. A panel of fashion experts from the world of manufacturing, interiors and design will choose designers and producer who best represent Scotland’s contribution to fashion and textiles. With a strong nod to Scotland’s traditional crafts the exhibitors include a milliner, a cashmere producer, and a textiles company. Commenting on the need for collaboration, milliner, William Chambers said: “Scotland has a great pool of talent and when we get together I think there’s strength in numbers…I like that most of us are living and working in Scotland. That excites me, and I think that us all going over to New York together helps to show it can be done” Indeed Scotland’s textiles have a long and celebrated heritage of producing quality products that are worn the world over - Harris Tweed Made by the islanders of Outer Hebrides Harris Tweed is one of the world's most iconic fabrics. Scotland's tartans also celebrated across the world!  Today the sector supplies over 150 countries has an annual turnover of £756 million. There is much to celebrate in 2012 as business is booming. Key to ensuring continued demand overseas will be those in the industry making key contacts further afield and Re:Designed looks like a promising way of helping Scottish talent expose their designs to an international audience. The founder of Re:Designed, Chris Hunt emphasised the excellent reputation of Scotland’s textiles, the perception in America is that the Scottish textiles industry offers ‘quality manufacturing and design full of skill’ In creating a platform for Scottish creatives Hunt hopes that both established and new businesses will flourish ‘working with mills and designers as I do, there’s a greater than ever sense of global brands and retailers coming back to Scotland to buy quality design and manufacturing, supporting our incredibly vibrant fashion and textiles industry. Given the New York’s importance to the fashion scene and the warm relations between Scotland and America displayed on Burns Night and events such as Scotland Week as well as the number of Americans of Scottish ancestry, Scotland Re:Designed is in a great position to make new contacts and develop strong relationships with their American counterparts.

Summer is disappearing. As the days grow shorter and the nights slowly become longer, the time for wearing shorts and t -shirts (as horribly brief as that has been) has gone. It's time to wrap up and look forward to the coming Autumn, when snuggling up in a cosy jacket is the ideal way to dress when going out and about on the leaf covered streets. This Autumn/Winter sees a continuation of the country classic trend: jodhpurs, corduroy jackets, and of course Harris Tweed. The Market Editor of fashion bible Vogue, Emma Elwick-Bates says, "The familiar country dress codes of plaid, corduroy and traditional tailoring were seen throughout the collections, with dramatic coats best played out in utility fabrics and earthy, autumnal colours." Think of it as an homage to TV favourite Downton Abbey. Harris Tweed has been a British tradition since the 1840s, when a London merchant received a letter about some tweels (the Scottish name for twill). He misinterpreted the handwriting and believed it was instead a trade name taken from the River Tweed in the Borders. The goods were from then on advertised as Tweed. Each piece of Harris Tweed is unique, as it is hand-woven with pure Outer Hebrides wool and hand-dyed with vegetable dye. Makers have stuck resolutely with the traditional methods of making the tweed, and because of this is renowned as a quality textile. Harris Tweed is the only fabric with its own act of Parliament - meaning only tweed made in the Outer Hebrides is given the Sovereign Orb trademark. The Scotland Kilt Company offers a host of different Harris Tweeds, all painstakingly made in the Outer Hebrides. All of our Harris Tweeds are exclusive, meaning there are limited numbers of each jacket. The lining of each jacket complements its tweed, making it a very impressive, unique item. We also sell them at very competitive prices, often much cheaper than other Harris Tweed vendors. So whether you fancy yourself as a Lady Cora or more of an Earl of Grantham, or even if you just want something that has been entirely made by hand in Scotland, a Harris Tweed jacket is the perfect item to finish off any outfit.

Kilts. A Scottish staple, which has become popular the world over as an outfit for special occasions: weddings, ceilidhs and other big family celebrations. They are rarely seen outside of these events, as generally, certainly in Scotland, they aren't seen as being particularly practical for work unless your job is bagpiping, or working in a kilt shop. However, in the US of A, some have decided to ignore the (admittedly, unofficial) rules of kilt wearing which Scots have adhered to since the days of being a battle-weary Jacobite ended. In Oklahoma, mechanics working in a garage in Tulsa have decided that during the blistering hot summer months wearing a kilt is a far better alternative than shorts.“It was mainly that we were looking for an alternative for the heat,” said David O’Brien, the owner of O'Brien Auto Performance, speaking to ABC news last month, “And since I have Irish and Scottish heritage, it was just a fun thing to do.” O'Brien turned to a local kilt maker to get his lighter, airier, non-woollen kilt. It is plain black and cost him $130. Without air conditioning, he believes this is the perfect way to keep cool from May to October, when the temperatures can reach up to 47 degrees Celsius (118F). However, one of his fellow mechanics has no intention of baring his legs and will happily stick with jeans. Perhaps this is quite wise as there are some dangers involved in wearing kilts while working in a hot garage: “You have to be really careful when you’re laying on the ground — knees down, legs crossed,” O’Brien said. “Plus you can really burn your bum on the seat of a hot car.” Due west, in California, others are bringing the kilt to the office. At Pixar studios, home of Toy Story and new computer animated adventure Brave, the part-Scottish director Mark Andrews decided to implement Kilt Fridays while working on the Scottish project. Andrews explained that he had been wearing kilts at Pixar parties for years and when his team started creating Brave a number of animators started wearing the garment. This was in order to learn how it moves and sits so they could animate it properly in the film. Eventually donning a kilt to work caught on and this led to him deciding that every Friday would officially become a day of kilt wearing. According to Andrews, the trend soon spread to other departments: "They wouldn't wear kilts, but on Fridays they’d come in with tartan ties or tartan plaid shirts." The Scotland Kilt Company has a range of utility kilts for customers who want to wear a kilt in a more practical situation. The kilts come with pockets and come in a black or camouflage. Visit the page to find out more. We also do utility kilts for ladies which are shorter and are available in black or khaki. They can be found here. Whether you are working on cars in a garage, animating the latest blockbusting kids movie or just planning on doing some DIY on a Sunday, there is now a kilt for every occasion. No longer just for big special events, kilts can be worn whenever you fancy, even just to pop down to Tesco.

Summer may have barely ended, but already that dreaded word is passing through people's lips: Christmas. While it seems impossible anyone could possibly be mentioning the day of the year that always seems so far away and yet somehow always manages to creep up on us unsuspectingly as we stick our scarves on, get ready for Autumn and remind ourselves it's not even Halloween yet, already the day of tinsel and turkey is being mentioned in the news. This week, it was announced that several mobile phone networks will be offering the radical new 4G mobile internet speed to its customers by Christmas (when else?) meaning there will be a raft of fancy new phones coming out with this technology, including a new iPhone. Not only that, but according to The Guardian, the race to be Christmas number one in the world of books has already begun, as several well known celebs release their tomes over the coming weeks. Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver will be releasing new cookbooks, Olympic Heptathlete Jessica Ennis will be hoping her autobiography does well, as will Clare Balding, and JK Rowling will finally have her first adult novel hitting the shelves. By December, the best releases from now until then will have risen to the top of the charts. If you think Christmas book releases and new phone announcements are jumping the gun, well they are nothing compared to one pub owner in Linlithgow who has already bedecked his bar in Christmas decorations including a Christmas tree. The owner, Noel Brown, (the irony certainly isn't lost on us) has defended his early festivities by stating they are part of a promotion to get people to book early for Christmas meals. Speaking to the Daily Record, he said, "It’s never too early to start planning and budgeting for the most costly time of the year. That way, everybody can then look forward to a stress-free Christmas." Despite the unusual decision, Noel has a point. Here at the Scotland Kilt Company we are just getting our Christmas stock in, ready for the rush when people start snapping up their presents. We would urge you to start ordering now, even if it seems a little early, simply due to the fact that the closer it gets to Christmas, the busier we get, and the busier our suppliers get. So if you were planning on ordering a made to measure kilt for your husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, or whoever the lucky person may be, do it now so there is plenty of time to get it made to your specifications before the inevitable last minute rush. Now that this public service announcement is out of the way, remember it is still only September and breathe a sigh of relief. Here is a picture of Santa in a kilt: Santa If you would like to order a made to measure kilt, drop us a line on 0131 2253555 or visit the website.

Scotland's When asked to name three things Scotland is most famous for, it can be hard to narrow it down. This is the country that gave the world television, penicillin and the telephone. However, the likelihood of these answers coming up in a straw poll is fairly small, as Scotland's biggest and most famous exports seem to always, inevitably, be named as whisky, haggis and tartan. The latter sits quite oddly in the world, as there are some who see it as a subversive fashion statement (see Vivienne Westwood's punk collections from the 1970s) while others see it as a pattern which old men wear while wandering around the golf course. Whatever your personal opinion on tartan, there is no denying it has lasted a very long time. From the battlefields and small Scottish townships of old to Victorian times, when it was seen as exclusive and for the landed gentry, due to its close association with the military and aristocracy, it has endured. As mentioned above, by the 1970s, when punk was well on the go, Vivienne Westwood turned tartan's image on its head by giving it an irreverent, rock and roll image, which went against the establishment at the time. These two visions of tartan have, rather than clash, worked together, allowing those who want an edgier look to pick pieces by designers such as Henry Holland, while those who like the aristocratic feel of tartan can try the collections of Oscar de la Renta and Ralph Lauren. Now, tartan is moving more into the mainstream, giving those who aren't feeling the punk movement or can't afford a designer label price tag, the chance to give it a go. Topshop are launching a new designer collection by J.W Anderson, which includes two pairs of cropped tartan trousers and tartan tops. Continuing the Scottish theme, his collection also includes kilt style skirts. Rag Tartan has also been spotted recently on celebrities, as Gwen Stefani was seen sporting a pair of red tartan trousers the other week. But worry not, gentlemen, it's not only ladies who can wear tartan away from traditional kilts. Several men's designers have also been showing off their wares which involve tartan. New York company Duckie Brown is one of these, as well as British designers Rag and Bone. The latter's collection also included their own take on the traditional kilt, showing that classic Scottish design is very much in right now. So, why not take advantage of this sudden love of tartan and get yourself some tartan trews from our website. They are incredibly versatile, as all tartan is these days, and can certainly jazz up a wardrobe. For ladies, we have our Billie kilts in a variety of tartans and for non-kilt wearers there are several tartan hats and shoes to choose from. Perfect for adding a little splash of colour to an outfit. Ladies Of course, for those with more traditional tastes, there is always the standard, humble kilt, which has remained a great staple of Scottish fashion over the years and will clearly remain there for a very long time.

Weddings. A time of happiness, joy and the celebration of love. Also a time of complete and utter stress, calm women being turned into bridezillas, tears, tantrums and total desperation. A wedding is a great family occasion, bringing everyone together, but also a nightmare to organise. Flowers, invitations, venues, a photographer... not to mention a dress. But what about the groom? In Scotland, in general, it usually follows that the lucky husband-to-be will wear a kilt, however, in other countries, sometimes there is a choice: the standard suit and tie, as may be customary in that country, some form of traditional dress, or dig out the ancestry book, find a Scottish name and go for a kilt? Today, more and more people who barely have a connection to Scotland are choosing to wear a kilt to their wedding, showing that while some still think of kilts as "skirts", a growing number of people are starting to see the apparent manliness of wearing a kilt. So, in the spirit of this new kilt-wearing trend, for all those who are considering getting themselves a kilt for their upcoming nuptials, here is a run down of all the bits and pieces which come with a full kilt outfit. The Prince Charlie The This is a fairly popular choice at weddings and other formal occasions as it is smart and sophisticated, making any groom look dapper on his big day. It consists of a Prince Charlie jacket, hence the name, and often also comes with a vest. A shirt with a wing collar and bow tie completes the top half. Then there comes the kilt, in whatever family tartan you choose. There are also a number of non-family affiliated tartans, such as Heritage of Scotland or Freedom, for those who have no Scottish connection. Then comes a belt with belt buckle and the sporran - which can be made from any number of different materials, such as cowskin, badger and rabbit. Sealskin used to be a very popular choice but the EU banned trade of the skin in 2010. A Sporrans are basically the same as pockets. It is used to carry whatever you would put in your pocket, since kilts don't have pockets. For a wedding or other formal occasion, a dress sporran is the best choice, as they are usually very ornate looking. The cantle (the metal part along the top) often has an intricate design. Next, is the kilt pin, which is a decorative item, often has a clan crest or other symbol on its head. This sits on the bottom corner of the kilt. Kilt hose, thick socks which come up to the knee, are worn on the feet and flashes are put inside the cuff of the hose to keep them in place. These are elasticated and are usually the same tartan or match the colour of the tartan in the kilt. A sgian dubh is placed in the top of the hose and historically was a knife for battle, therefore it should sit on the right if right-handed and the left if left-handed. Finally come the shoes, which are called ghillie brogues. They have long laces which are tied in a criss cross fashion up the leg and are a modern version of the brogues worn by highlanders. In the past, the holes in the brogues allowed feet to dry out more quickly in wet conditions. A Sometimes a groom may like to add a fly plaid, which is a long piece of tartan matching the kilt and is fastened on the shoulder, hanging down the back, with a brooch. This allows the groom to stand out a little more. The Argyle The A slightly less formal jacket option is the Argyle jacket. This also comes with a waistcoat and is also perfect for weddings and other big occasions. So, how that you know all the formal options, all there's left to do is head over to our website, pick one out and decide whether you want to be brave and do a "True Scotsman" or stick on a pair of undies. Tricky...

Hogmanay is the Scottish alternative to New Year’s Eve; it’s the biggest night of the year in Edinburgh, and has become a world famous street party. We’ll be enjoying the usual fireworks display and torchlight procession in town, which will be attended by thousands of locals and visitors, and continues the ancient pagan winter solstice ceremonies that were started many hundreds of years ago. These days the celebrations mostly continue in bars, concert halls and nightclubs, but lest we forget the old traditions we’ve taken a look at the history of Hogmanay. The traditional song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ was rearranged by Robert Burns, the beloved eighteenth-century Scottish poet who chose to write his verse in the old Scots language. It quickly became tradition in Scotland, as the bells chimed midnight, to link crossed arms in a circle with all in the room and sing this song, which roughly translates as ‘long, long ago’ or ‘for old time’s sake’. This tradition quickly spread throughout the world, and the poem has been translated into many languages. The custom of ‘first-footing’ sets the luck of the household for the year ahead. Once midnight has struck the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour will come bearing gifts that symbolise different sorts of good fortune, such as coal, salt, shortbread, black buns and whisky. A dark-haired male was considered the most lucky. Thousands of patriotic Scots will don a kilt to see in the New Year in the traditional way. It is the time to celebrate new beginnings with old friends and to welcome strangers, too. So with that thought, we wish you all ‘a Guid New Year’!

Much like the celebration of Hogmanay, Tartan Day is an event which proudly celebrates the Scottish heritage across the globe, on the 6th of April. This date marks the Declaration of Arbroath, which was signed in 1320. The current event stems from a celebration which originates in Canada from the 1980s but has spread to many communities in other countries, during the 1990s and 2000s. Tartan day typically includes pipe bands, highland dancing and other Scottish themed events in Canada, Nova Scotia, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. There are some incredible numbers in terms of Scottish decent. In Canada, 4.7 million people are from Scottish decent. 3 Million Australians claim their Scottish ancestry and a whopping 6 million Americans are from Scottish decent. So, as you can imagine, Tartan Day is a very special day in the Scottish calender. Wherever you are in the world, if you're looking forward to Tartan day but want to do something that little extra special, take a look at the range of kilts and accessories on our brand new site. We even have an incredible Tartan finder. Simply enter your surname or clan and hey presto, if we have the Tartan you'll be provided with a range of products. You may want to go completely traditional or make an outfit with a modern twist. The Scotland Kilt Company proudly offer overseas shipping, so if you're in one of the above mentioned countries and are looking for something special for Tartan day, take a look at the site and get in touch, preparing now will put you in good stead for the celebrations of Tartan Day and your Scottish roots.   The Scotland Kilt Company

ONE Due to the number of Scottish settlers in Canada, every province and territory (with the exception of Nunavut) have their own tartan. We can get a selection of these tartans in a light weight fabric perfect for ladies made to measure kilts, give us a call if you are interested. Maple Leaf, the Canadian National tartan is pictured above. TWO  The world's first colour photograph, taken in 1861 by James Clerk Maxwell, a Scottish theoretical physicist, was of a tartan ribbon. We can get tartan ribbons made to order, just give us a call. THREE Queen Victoria and prince Albert bought balmoral castle in 1948 where Prince Albert personally took care of the interior design and made great use of tartan. He utilised the red Royal Stewart and the green Hunting Stewart tartans for carpets, while using the Dress Stewart for curtains and upholstery. Furthermore, the Queen designed the Victoria tartan, and Prince Albert the Balmoral, still used as a royal tartan today. Use our tartan finder to discover the range of items we have in different Stewart tartans. FOUR Due to Queen Victoria's love for Scotland, tartans became more popular outside of Scotland. Clever Victorian entrepreneurs not only created new tartans, but new tartan objects called tartanware: every day objects that incorporate tartan in the design such as these Harris Tweed gifts or these made to order soft toys. FIVE Alan Bean, member of the Apollo 12 crew in 1969, was fourth man to walk on the moon, but the first to bring a large swatch of tartan while doing so. To date, the swatch of MacBean tartan is the only tartan to have been to the moon and back. Macbean Modern and Macbean Ancient are available in our made to measure items. SIX Tartan by Harris Tweed is the only fabric in the world protected by its own Act of Parliament which decrees that genuine Harris Tweed must be made from pure virgin wool which has been dyed and spun on the islands and handwoven at the home of the weaver in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Check out our selection of Harris Tweed items.