Only a dummy would buy tartan tat stores' kilts

IT is the latest escalation in the battle between the tat and traditional in the tartan- festooned tenements of the Royal Mile.

A traditional kiltmaker on the Canongate has dressed a tailor's dummy in a cheap souvenir outfit and mounted it outside his store with a sign hanging from it stating: "This is not a real kilt".

Kiltmaker Gordon Nicolson said he had decided to take a personal stand against the growing number of "tartan tat" stores opening up on The Royal Mile.

He said: "Basically, I've had enough of it, particularly in the current climate when they are threatening Scottish jobs.

"This item of clothing should not be called a kilt.

"It is not made to traditional Scottish standards and uses material which is imported from abroad.

"We only use Scottish wool, made by Scottish hands and supporting Scottish jobs, while the other clothing which is being sold on the Royal Mile is just junk."

Mr Nicolson's sign goes on to inform customers that the "kilt" on his dummy is "not made in Scotland".

It continues: "The imported fabric uses cheap dyes. A lot less cloth is used. It will never swing correctly.

"The kilt has over 300 years of history and is worn with great pride all over the world.

"The kilt is a family heirloom and a symbol of Scotland that can be proudly passed on from father to son."

The sign then invites customers in to the store to try a real kilt made using traditional Scottish methods and fabrics.

Mr Nicolson said he has had a good response from customers but neighbouring store Prestige Scotland is understood to be far from pleased.

Mr Nicolson added: "Some have come in saying the sign is fantastic, others have walked by and given us this thumbs up. We've never had so many tourists in asking where the cheap kilts are made.

"I know that Prestige Scotland aren't happy, and a few of the other local souvenir shops aren't happy either because I've had an impact on their sales."

Staff at Prestige Scotland, owned by Luckwinder and Ratan Singh, declined to comment.

Mr Nicolson's actions have been praised by the Scottish Tartans Authority, who have long campaigned for the promotion of traditional Scottish tartan.

Director Brian Wilton said: "We understand his reasons for doing this and we would, to a certain extent, applaud him for bringing this issue to public notice.

"It is long past time that something was done about this."