Which Mill Makes the Best Tartan?

Rocky and Mac discuss the various pros and cons of cloth coming out of the main tartan mills in business today. Each one has something to brag about. Yet each mill’s products also have some drawbacks for the kilt maker and the consumer.

Is there a clear “best tartan mill?” That is a completely idiosyncratic judgment. However there are some factors worth considering if more than one tartan mill offers the tartan you want for your custom-made kilt.

Tartans:
Rocky: American Dream
Erik: County Wexford, Ireland

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Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.

[pipsheppard]

The thing I look for most in a kilt is that it is well-made. The details are that important to me. Thanks for well-made kilts, USA Kilts!

[theologyman]

My preferred mill is House of Edgar based on colors and the feel of the fabric.

[Chaotic_Pixie]

The most common sheep in Scotland are the Blackface & Cheviot while the most common sheep in New Zealand are the Corridale & the Romney... so it makes total sense that the feel of tartan made from Scottish sheep would be different from the feel of tartan made from New Zealand sheep. I haven't worked with either of the breeds from Scotland, but Corridale has a bouncy hand when you feel the carded wool & spin with it... so I can see it making a loftier kilt. I think it's exciting from an ecological standpoint to be opting for wool produced in the Isles since it reduces the energy cost of getting it from farm to processor to mill.

[Time_Lord_Council]

Being well-made is my highest priority in looking for a kilt. I only own one kilt at the moment, but I'm definitely buying my next one from you guys because you constantly demonstrate how knowledgeable and careful you are to make sure that every detail is as close to perfect as possible. Whenever I have the scratch for another kilt, I know where to look.

[stevenwalters]

I haven’t found a feel difference yet so I go with color palette and availability. When I ordered my Buchanan ancient the locharran was on back order so I ended up with marton mills. The color was much closer then on the website and I’m very happy with it.

[captainzeth]

A bit of my own story with the color palettes. I typically prefer modern tartans. I like how the colors tend to be vibrant and not as bright as most ancients. Whenever I've viewed modern tartans on your website, Lochcarron tends to look disctintly different from the rest and in my opinion better. For example Duncan modern has (in my opinion) a distintly better contrast of colors than Str or HOE. With Leslie, Loch's looks balanced while Str's and HOE's look like they're colors are fighting a bit more. Looking at Gordon dress modern, Loch and Str look great while HOE seems to struggle with the green, Bat's 13oz looks faded and their 16oz looks dark, and MM's looks very faded. Again, this is my personal opinion, and this is based on the online pictures and not in person. However, if I'm looking for a modern kilt, I'm going look at to Lochcarron first as they seem to (IMO) look the best and most balanced with the modern color palette. If I'm not the only one, then maybe that would partially explain a Lochcarron bias with modern tartans 🤷‍♂️

[brianmcpherson]

I think that I tend towards the color palette. I think I have order HoE because I liked the color; not knowing that it might be more scratchy than Lochcarron or Strathmore.

[milliemellifluous]

I like House of edgar for their muted ranges, love the colors in that. I do like Martin Mills for their Poly-Viscose.
Outside of that, my main focus is color in the weight im looking for. plans might change if i can't get the shade i want in the weight i need.

[alexblue]

I'm from Scotland unfortunately I had an allergy to wool haven't been near wool since

[madisennicolekirkpatrick]

I love strathmore the best. But i do like select tartans from lochcarron like macgregor hunting ancient.

[BCSchmerker]

+USAKiltsOfficial *Thanks for the comparo on wool mills in Scotland (GBR).* Every mill is best for a certain application.

[jonlilley]

I like them all for the same love/hate reasons you said, but I have trade accounts with Dalgleish & Lochcarron.

[MrKanduu]

I rely on the expertise of Ian and the staff at USA Kilts as I know very little about kilts and they deal with them every day. So far, I've purchased two kilts, a kilt pin, and a lapel pin to start my outfit wardrobe and look to purchase more in the future. I'm sold on doing business with USA Kilts because everyone I've dealt with there has been professional and has given me "Above Top Shelf" customer service, and that's hard to find in this world of rip-offs and shysters. They've delivered what they've promised and more and for that I'm a very happy customer. So, if you're considering purchasing a kilt, I recommend the professionals at USA Kilts because it's been my experience they won't let you down and deliver "Above Top Shelf" service and quality.

[briantaylor]

Some people are picking or staying with a mill because there is not a surcharge on many of the tartans.

[jimboyd]

Lochcarron mill:
Color pallet
Weight
wearability
item care

[terrywalker]

Is 13 oz enough, or do you need 16oz for a proper "sway"?

[srStinnky]

So can you help me identify the tartan on my kilt?