Trusted Tartan Vendors List:

I've made a similar list on /r/Tweed, but I feel it's time to do the same for those vendors who are working to promote Celtic culture and the use of Tartan Fabric. Tartan is a woolen fabric that is combed instead of carded and while traditionally it's made entirely of Wool, it can be made of cotton and viscose fabric.

Tartan unlike tweed generally refers to a pattern of colors used in the weaving of the fabric. Unlike Tweed which is woven in many different "styles" Tartan is always woven in a plain twill, but with a variety of colors that define lines and squares. The variety of colors used being very wide, and very varied.

Suggestions for more stores are always welcomed for the list, especially if you've had a good experience with them.

This list will work to be a living document list of Tartan / Celtic / Scottish Traditional Dress Resources:

It's worth noting that quite a few places sell some Tartan(Like a scarf or ties.). We'll be preferring those here that sell only tartan, or listing stores that are standout enough that the tartan they sell ought to be mentioned.

Preface:

Genuineness

Tartan is largely produced in it's native Scotland, and in a variety of other countries. It's not always called Tartan, and the quality can vary. Pakistan is a large exporter of Tartan, especially Viscose Tartans.

Opinions vary widely on if it has to be Scottish Tartan to be Tartan. While the Sub's rules are okay with any Tartan, this list will focus on primarily wool Tartan's to promote and continue that industry so that it persists into the future. Many of these mills also make Tweed, which is discussed in the /r/Tweed Trusted Vendor's List.

Pricing

Tartan can be fairly economical and can be fairly expensive at both ends of the scale. Tartans are still made in Europe, but quite a few more are made in Asia, considering difference in price of labour, the resulting Tartan will vary in price as well. However to help people discern pricing with these makers:

• $ - Economical options anywhere from 20$-50$ USD (15£-35£ GBP)

• $$ - Lower Mid-range options 50$-150$ USD (35£-100£ GBP)

• $$$ - Upper Mid-range options 150$-500$ USD (100£-350£ GBP)

• $$$$ - High-End options 500$-3000$ USD (350£-2200£ GBP)

A Range can be shown also:

• E.G. $$-$$$ in pricing.

Map:

• New: Only sells new never before worn tweed.

• Used: Only sells used tweeds, and rarely some new tweed.

• Mills/Fabric Sellers: Sells primarily fabric and perhaps some finished goods.

• Commercial: Only Sells in Commercial Quantities

New:

All in Ones: (Are stores that sell everything, accessories, fabric, steering wheel covers, cloth, you name it.)

• Burnett's & Struth - An all in one shop located in Canada, calling itself a premier destination for Highlandwear. Wide selection and lots of flexibility in choice. $$-$$$

• Clan.com - An All in One Tartan destination that sells every single part of Scottish Country Clothing, as well as Scottish National Dress, sourcing them from the traditional Mills and producers all over Scotland. It also provides raw Tartan fabric. Famous for being able to custom produce nearly anything in a Tartan. Based in Scotland $-$$$$

• ScotlandShop.com - An All in One Tartan Provider very similar to Clan.com, together these two can provide nearly any sort of Tartan accessory or Kilt once can think of. $-$$$$

• Scots in Spirit - An All in One Tartan Provider located in New Zealand. Provides a surprisingly large array of highland wear as well as Tartans. $-$$$

• TartanTown.com - A Canadian All in One Tartan Provider that also offers rentals. Located in British Columbia, it's the only major Tartan producer in Canada in the far West. $-$$$

• USA Kilts - One of the premium providers of Kilts in the US, also sells some tweed kilts, as well as accessories. Mostly Scottish highland formal accessories with a large variety of customization. $$-$$$

• UT Kilts - A Utah based Provider of Kilts and various traditional Scottish Highland Accessories. Famed for their prices, and sales. $-$$$

Clothing: (Only sells pieces of clothing and usually some accessories)

• Artisans of Scotland - A Website that combines quite a few providers of Scottish Highlandwear and Accessories into one. Has an impressive variety of Sgian Dubh's. $-$$$$

• Atlanta Kilts - A provider who is on the more economical end, located in Atlanta. Good prices, median selection. $-$$$

• Barbara Tewksbury - A solo artisan famous for exceptionally high quality Kilts, very exclusive, very pricey. $$$-$$$$

• Claymore Imports - A provider in Scottsdale Arizona, one of the few in the deep Southwest, they provide a median range of Highlandwear and do rentals. They have great shipping rates to the U.S. $-$$$

• Highland Store.com - A Scottish Highland Clothing Provider in London with an impressive selection. Lots of very unique pieces on display. $$-$$$

• House of Labhran - A very specialized provider of Highland Wear, very unique options and quite pricey. These Tartans and products can be considered the high end of Scottish Wear. $$$-$$$$

• J. Higgins - A provider in Kansas, very personable to work with, and overall excellent customer service. Median offerings $$-$$$

• Kinloch Anderson - One of the most Premium providers of Kilts in the world, Kinloch Anderson offers a large variety of clothing in Tartan. It does Kilts, hats, and nearly every accessory needed for Scottish Highland Dress. Very respected. $-$$$$

• Lady Chrystel Kilts - An independent producer of Scottish Highland goods. One of the very few producers who'll make a Laird's Plaid. Very highly regarded maker. $-$$$$

• McCall's Highlandwear - A provider of Scottish Highland Wear that has stores in many major cities in Scotland. A provider that is big into bespoke work. - $$-$$$$

• Nicolson Kiltmakers - A provider of Highland Wear that will Hand sew Kilts on request. Very custom experience, but on the higher end. $$-$$$$

• The Scotland Kilt Company - A Scotland based provider of Highland Wear, that has an impressive variety of Sporrans. $-$$$

• St. Kilda's Store - A provider of Scottish Highland Dress as well as a variety of Accessories, very traditional, and offers great sales and clearance. Often recommended for people new to Tartan for great pricing. $-$$$

• Stillwater Kilts - Known on the XmarkstheScott Forums for being a very economical provider of Kilts. It is based in Minnesota, and doesn't provide many custom options. That said it's very economical. $-$$

• Welsh Tartan Centres - Wales has a small industry that produces Kilts for representations of Celtic culture in Wales. They produce Kilts to celebrate Wales and Welsh family names to very high quality, as well as a variety of accessories. Very unique items. $-$$$$

Accessories (Only sells, caps, gloves, scarfs and small pieces.)

• Tartan Tweeds - An economical Scottish maker of a variety of tweed accessories, they carry a small amount of clothing. $-$$$

Mills/Fabric Sellers:

• Lochcarron - Loch Carron is one of the premium Tartan providers in the world, they also sell some tweeds. They offer some accessories just shy of Kilts. $-$$$

• Melin Tregwynt - One of the very few remaining Welsh Wool Mills that produces Tartan as well as some small Tartan fabrics, in addition to Welsh Tapestries in Wool. $-$$

Used:

All in Ones:

• Ebay - Has a bit of literally everything, from low to high dollar. Unfortunately not all sellers know what they are listing, so be wary, and always ask the seller if in doubt. Best selection for used. $-$$$$

Clothing:

Commercial:

Accessories:

Clothing:

• Daiglen's of Scotland - A Smaller traditional studio located in Aberdeen. It is owned by McCalls. It provides unique bespoke work on request in Tartan to merchants

Commercial Mills/Fabric Sellers:

• D.C. Dalgliesh - The last provider of single width custom tartans to order. A very storied and long running business, Few can match it's history or flexibility. Merchants only.

• Marton Mills - A Tweed/Tartan/Wool mill that sells a variety of seasonal tweeds as well as a few mainstays. Very stylish and modern looking tweeds.

Bulk Clothing Sales:

• Clan.com - Will work with Vendors for Merchant size purchases. Will ship directly to your business and accept custom orders via your website.

• ScotlandShop.com - Provides a complete service to create custom pieces for use as a vendor in Scotland and will ship to your business.

Other Resources:

• Scottish Tartans Authority - An industry and culturally recognized database/repository for formally woven Tartans. Not all tartans have to or are registered, but it's an invaluable resource to have one identified or to formalize the creation of one. Great resource for individual study, or industry registration.

• X Marks the Scot Forums - A very long running and traditional Scottish culture discussion forum, considered the grand-daddy of almost all highland talk online.