Scotland has all kinds of super class wools; Cashmere, Tartan, Tweed and they are all really the best. The Scottish Harris Tweed Jacket is to die for. Made of closely woven twilled fabric, the tweed jacket from Scotland is warm, durable and fashionable. No wonder it is really expensive. Tweed Jacket is appropriate attire for hunting and shooting or informal outdoor gatherings. Tweed is favored by many designers and the Tweed Jacket is oft designed by top men’s fashion designers.

What are the famous Scottish kilts if they are not worn with the kilt accessories? Scottish kilts worn by the Highland men on formal occasions would hardly be more than skirts if kilt accessories were not used along side. Some of the kilt accessories are : headgear of two types; Balmoral, which is a round cap without a brim or the Glengarry, which is wedge-shaped cap. The crest of the clan is fixed to the side of either of this cap. Kilt belt, sporran, shoes and socks are other items of kilt accessories .

Family tartan also has a history. The tartan or woolen cloth that is used to make kilts has patterns or checked designs in many different combination of colors, sequence of colors and also different sizes of checks. Mills in Scotland make specific designs for certain large and renowned clans or highland families. This tartan became the family tartan for that particular clan. Members of the clan wore kilts and tartan skirts and other accessories made out of family tartan. In fact, the clan could be identified from the family tartan or the pattern of tartan the members of the family had donned. Clans would never wear the family tartan that did not belong to them.

For further details about Family tartan and cardigan please visit the website .

Although now the clan tartans of all large and small clans, such as the Mackenzie tartan are available for use by the general public not associated with the clan. It is amazing history to know how clan tartans actually developed and were an integral part of Scottish history. As far as clans go, no clan member of one clan would ever wear a tartan of another. That is, the Mackenzie tartan would be worn only by the Mackenzie clan.

I also came across tartan ribbon, while in Edinburgh last year. Other than tartan fabric out of which the tartan dress, kilt or skirts as well as other accessories like the tartan scarf, handbags etc are made; the tartan pattern is also used to make tartan ribbon. Tartan ribbon is used as an embellishment on dresses decorations and is available in varying widths and lengths. Materials such as wool or polyester are generally used to make the tartan ribbon . Now, tartan ribbon is an important item used in Scottish theme parties or weddings.

Traditional Tartan dress of the Scottish men of different clans is the Kilt. The famous tartan dress; the kilt is worn not only by highland clans in Scotland but also in many other countries of Celtic and Gaelic origin such as Ireland, Wales etc. The tartan dress is made of woolen fabric in a special weave called tartan that resembles checked plaid. The worsted wool fabric can be light to heavy and is woven into tartan checks of different patterns. There are different tartan patterns for different clans and clans can be identified by the pattern of their tartan dress.

For further details about tartan dress and fair isle please visit the website .

I always wondered why the kilt is such masculine attire although it resembles a women’s skirt. The Highland men look resplendent in a kilt with all the accessories that go with it. And then it came to me suddenly; it is because of all the accessories that they wear. Firstly, it is the kilt belt, then the heavy brogue shoes, the knee length woolen socks; the leather pouch that hangs on the side… everything is so macho. The kilt belt is made of thick leather and is black or brown in color. The width of the kilt belt is also around two inches; not a slim lady-like width.

The fine and warm cashmere wool is expensive but worth every penny of the cost. Many articles of use are made from the Cashmere wool including sweaters and jumpers, throws and shawls and the high end Cashmere Blanket. Since the real cashmere wool is the soft down that is found under the coarse hair of the Cashmere goat, it is quite expensive in its pure form. The high cost of the Cashmere blanket is because only a little wool can be collected from one goat and scores of goats have to be shorn or combed to make a single Cashmere blanket.

The beautifully patterned “Icelandic Sweater”, locally called “Lopapeysa” is made from the lopi, the Islandic wool. The Icelandic Sweater is distinct in design and construction and has got this unique design and style since the early 1950s. The Icelandic Sweater has a typical pattern of yoke which has been styled as per the women’s costumes in Greenland and the designs originate from the textiles of South America, Turkey and Sweden. The Icelandic Sweater has a typical patterned yoke and a high collar that is the same; front and back. (298 words) .

For further details about Icelandic sweater and scottish gifts please visit the website .

Scotland has been one of the most attractive holiday destinations for me as I love the rugged mountains and the simple highland folk of the land. I consider the Scottish national dress for men the tartan kilt as one of the smartest national costume of any country. The typical tartan patterns that are woven specially for the kilts of different highland clans gives the kilt a kind of respect that is reserved for all things traditional or having a long history and heritage.

Although men wear this skirt like attire, there is not an ounce of girlishness that would make a man look a sissy. Men wearing a kilt and kilt belts and perhaps a tartan scarf with brogue shoes and the head gear of the highlanders are as macho as can be. I learnt in Scotland that a kilt is a common dress style for men in many other Gaelic countries such as Wales, Ireland, Spain etc. The ceremonial kilt is worn with all accessories such as kilt belts, leather pouches, safety pins, etc.

The construction of the kilt is also very typical. It is fastened to the waist and when wearing it, a flat portion of the material first covers the front, At the back there are pleats which could be knife pleats or box pleats. I was astonished to know that the average fabric required for a kilt of a grown man is 7 to 8 meters. The kilt is fastened with leather straps and belts. Accessories such kilt belts and safety pins are more ornamental than useful but the tartan scarf is useful and pretty.

For further details about tartan scarf and kilts for men please visit the website .

On my visit to Scotland In summer, everything about the place just fascinated me. Even before I reached Scotland I had read about the history of the Scottish clans, house tartan of each clan and the royal tartan for the Royal Family and regiments under the Queen with their own house tartan such as the Black Watch tartan which made interesting reading.

There is a sense of belonging and loyalty among the members of Scottish clans that is unique. This tradition of Scottish clans is maintained even today where members of one clan wear garments such as kilts, skirts and accessories made of their own house tartan at all formal functions and ceremonies.The Scottish clans have a surname by which they are recognized. Many times all the people who are loyal to the clan are also considered to be clan members even though they are not related in blood.

The house tartan refers to the clan tartan that all members of the clan wear to show their loyalty and identity as clan members. The House of Stewart is the royal house or family that the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II belongs to. The house tartan of the House of Stewart is called the Royal Stewart tartan. The Black Watch of Canada, also called the Royal Highland Regiment is an infantry regiment which has its own sett or house tartan called the Government tartan or the Black Watch tartan .

I found in Scotland that one does not need to belong to the Scottish Clans to have your own house tartan. You can have your own house tartan that you can design yourself. All you have to do is send them your tartan pattern. Many weaving mills weave this special very own house tartan for you.

For further details about tartan dress and cheap kilts please visit the website .

Fair Isle of Scotland is a beautiful island but there are hardly any visitors here. This beautiful island in Northern Scotland has so much to give but no takers. Even the local population has dwindled to barely a hundred. It is really sad.

The local women of Fair Isle have for generations being knitting the Fair Isle Cardigan with unique patterns using multi-colored woolen yarn, to supplement their income. This Fair Isle cardigan is soon going to be extinct because there are hardly any women left on the island to keep alive this distinct skill.

Connoisseurs of whisky, swear by the Scotch whisky that has set bench marks in the liquor industry. Where Scotch whisky reigns the world, the Scottish cannot be far behind in making the best whisky glass to drink the best whisky from. Many glass works in Scotland make high quality whisky glasses that make drinking Scotch whisky an experience not only because of the whisky.

This fad of tulip shaped whisky glasses is quite out of proportion because many regular whisky imbibers believe that the best whisky glasses are the plain and simple whisky tumblers. There is no such a thing as a perfect whisky glass since the opinion about whisky glasses differs completely. While some believe in the expensive tulip shaped whisky glass with abroad base, a bulbous middle and slightly small mouth, there are others who care more for the whiskey than for the whisky glasses in which it is served.

The Scottish people are great entrepreneurs; they raise world-class goats and sheep for their high-class wool products. They innovate and create exclusive and A-One wool products and also make the best whisky and the best whisky glasses.

For further details about whisky glasses and mackenzie tartan please visit the website .

I was always given to understand that there was really no such a thing as cheap kilts because Kilts were made of tartan woven from premium wool by different Tartan Weaving Mills of Scotland, the fabric could not be cheap. The Scottish Kilts for men were constructed from a good length of fabric; kilt for men are made of 6 to 7 meters of single width fabric. A bigger man could even need 8 meters for his kilt. How can there be then, cheap kilts?

I found though, on my last visit that cheap kilts was a reality only when the kilts were for souvenir purposes or if they are to be used by women. There could not be cheap kilts for men that were used by Scottish clans, however now women wear skirts that are in every way like kilts for men, these could be cheap kilts as much less material is used to make them. Kilts that are bought as souvenirs to be given as Scottish gifts could also be cheap kilts as the pleats at the back are not so deep and therefore require less tartan than the kilts for men of the Highlands.

Visitors (like me) to Scotland take home Scottish gifts as souvenirs or gifts to friends and family. Articles made of tartan such as kilts, skirts, caps, belts, pins, handbags or scarves are ideal Scottish gifts for those who are interested in tradition and culture. Handmade and machine made cardigans, sweaters and jumpers from the isle of Aran or Fair Isle are interesting and useful Scottish gifts.

For further details about Scottish gifts and black watch tartan please visit the website .

Cashmere wool jumpers or shawls are frightfully expensive and so I was looking for some smaller and cheaper items may be a cashmere hat or a scarf to fulfill my craving for this unaffordable cashmere wool that is so soft to touch and warm to feel. Not only are garments such as Cashmere Jumpers are sought after all over the world, but accessories such as cashmere hat , muffler, scarf etc. are also very popular.

I had also fallen in love with tartan in Scotland but really had no use of the kilt or the skirt but I saw some lovely tartan handbags and loved them. Tartan handbags would be cheaper and also take less space in my luggage. I also got a tartan souvenir for myself.

Other Scottish wool items including the Fair Isle Jumpers were also fascinating. These jumpers have got their name from the Fair Isle island of northern Scotland where they are traditionally made. The Fair Isle jumpers are knitted by the women of the island to augment their income. The pattern of Fair Isle Jumpers is distinct when two or more alternating colored wool yarn is used in a simple knit stitch.

Unfortunately, the population of the island is diminishing and now only a handful of families live there. The Fair Isle Jumpers will soon be extinct unless the Fair Isle knitting style is not taken up elsewhere and this heritage preserved. There are hardly any genuine Fair Isle Jumpers as there is no one to knit them.

For further details about Fair Isle jumpers and house of tartan please visit the website .

I think the best woolens in the world are from Scotland. Somehow, these woolens; Cashmere, tartan or tweed have the flavor of the Scottish Highlands that I really love. I fell in love with Scotland and the Scottish tartan on my first visit there. I bought a lovely Scottish Tartan skirt from the Mill’s show room in the Fort at Edinburgh and was really thrilled.

It was intriguing to know that many highland clans or families that have been around for generations have their own distinct Scottish tartan pattern that they get made from the weaving mills to make kilts and other garments made for the use of their family members.

Cashmere Jumpers were introduced to me only on my second trip and the luxurious feel and warmth made me crave for them but I had to wait some time as cashmere jumpers did not suit my pocket at the time as I was a student then.

The last time I went to Scotland was with my husband. I wanted to gift him something Scottish that he would always use. Then I found the Harris Tweed Jacket. The Harris Tweed jacket is one of the warmest and also chic jackets that one can wear. Made from the traditional Scottish tweed from the island of Harris, having distinct weave, colors and dyes, the Harris Tweed Jacket is designed by many top fashion designers and takes pride of place in the men’s high couture. My husband loved my gift and still wears his Harris Tweed Jacket after 10 years and I , my Cashmere Jumpers.

For further details about Harris tweed jacket and scottish clans please visit the website .

The Highlands of Scotland are fascinating to any tourist including me and the Highland people of Gaelic descent are warm and brave and also enterprising in a simple way that is almost endearing. On my last visit to Scotland I had the opportunity to visit a Cashmere farm where Cashmere goats were reared. I got first-hand experience of seeing how the cashmere wool is combed from molting animals, cleaned and spun into yarn and sent to weaving mills to be made into articles like the Cashmere blanket, shawl or throw by mixing with yarn of other wools. The Cashmere blanket especially had a high percentage of other wool and a small percentage of Cashmere wool that gave it the super-soft feel and warmth. I even bought a cashmere blanket to take back home.

Tartan skirts have also been my weakness since I was presented with one on my tenth birthday. The lovely plaid pattern and rich wool of the tartan skirts does not fail to interest me even now. I heard on this visit that you can have tartan skirts of your own tartan pattern. This is really amazing and I am trying to design my own tartan pattern for some tartan skirts I want to buy.

Tartan weaving in Scotland is done by some old Weaving Mills who are in the business for many generations. The men of highland clans of Scotland would wear kilts made of tartan. Gradually, the mills started manufacturing a certain pattern for a certain clan and the clan tartan was born. Now there is a library of clan tartan where tartan patterns are preserved. Highland clans used to order lengths of their clan tartan when all male clan members would make kilts and women, skirts.

For further details about clan tartan and clan tartan please visit the website .