Article added by: Robert on 5 January 2010
We recently told you about some exciting news we received following a request from ITV. We couldn’t say too much at the time, but now we have the full story which has been republished here courtesy of the Evening Express – our newspaper here in North East Scotland:
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N-East firm’s kilts appear on TV show
They’re used to being flat out taking orders for parties over Christmas and New Year. But staff at an Aberdeen kilt company were left scrambling to meet their deadline for one festive delivery.
And workers at Alex Scott and Co (Kiltmakers) Ltd, which is based in the city’s Schoolhill, were stunned to find their creations appear on the All Star Mr & Mrs Christmas Special TV show.
Chris McLeod the firm’s Managing Director said: “We got a call out of the blue requesting three kilts but we didn’t know what it was for at the time. They initially said it was for ITV2 so we were surprised to hear it was actually ITV1”
The game show which is hosted by Fern Britton and Philip Schofield, features celebrity couple taking part in a quiz to find out if they are really made for each other.
Actress Joan Collins and husband Percy Gibson, singer Emma Bunton and partner Jade Jones and Coronation Street actor Andy Whyment and wife Nicola went head-to-head in the competition.
And it was Ms Collins who came face-to-face with the Aberdeen kilts.
Three male models wore the Alex Scott creations, with Ms Collins asked to pick which one was husband’s on their wedding day. The tartans requested were Weathered Buchanan, Weathered Grant and Weathered MacLean of Duart.
And Mr McLeod hopes the stint on TV could be good for business.
But the appearance on the show wasn’t the first time the firm has rubbed shoulders with celebrities. Mr McLeod said: “We made Rod Stewart and his entire entourage kilts to wear on his Scottish tour a few years ago”.
Article added by: Andrew on 30 December 2009
January 25th sees Scottish folk toast the life of Robert Burns. Born in Alloway, Ayrshire in 1759, Burns became known as a cultural icon throughout Scotland. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, inspired the founders of both liberalism and socialism and became renowned throughout the world for his poems and lyrics. In 2009 he was voted by the people of Scotland as the ‘Greatest Scot’. Among his many works possibly the widest known is Auld Lang Syne, sung to this very day throughout the world on the stroke of midnight on the first day of the new year.
For all Scots January 25th is a significant date in the calendar, one which has growing support to become a national holiday in Scotland. On this day people both in Scotland and around the globe celebrate his life, poems and songs with Burns Suppers at home and in clubs and societies everywhere.
The evening is filled with readings of his works, singing of his songs and that most Scottish of delicacies, the haggis. Rabbie Burns famously wrote a poem entitled Address To A Haggis (see below) and this is recited at every supper before the haggis is sliced and served accompanied by neeps (turnip) and tatties (potatoes).
To enjoy your own Burns Supper – all you need is a place to gather, plenty of haggis, neeps and tatties, a bunch of friends, a master of ceremonies, and good Scots Whisky to ward off the winter chill. These ingredients will ensure the perfect recipe as you try to do justice to the great words and the spirit of Robbie Burns.
Ideally, everyone should bring along some of Rab’s poetry to read out or maybe a song to sing (there’s plenty on the Internet). In this way everyone gets involved and can take turns in amusing the other guests. It’s not hard to see why this tradition has been continued for so long with its combination of good food, good company and great entertainment.
Among Robbie Burns’ greatest works is the almost compulsory Selkirk Grace, a poem which thanks God for the food we are about to receive (with translation from the original Scots language).
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae the Lord be thankit.
Some have food and cannot eat,
And some would eat that lack it (food),
But we have food and we can eat,
So the Lord be thanked.
Celebrate with us at Kiltmakers and wish Mr Burns a very happy birthday!
Article added by: Robert on 23 December 2009
Walt Disney once said ‘It’s kinda fun to do the impossible’. At kiltmakers.co.uk we found that to be very true when we were asked to produce three kilts from scratch in under two weeks. A process that normally takes six weeks for one!!!
The reason for the hurry was so they could be ready in time for ITV’s All Star Mr & Mrs Christmas Special. Our hand made kilts are normally handed to our customers only after a long manufacturing process which starts with a creating a detailed breakdown of the customers requirements and ends with the final product following rigorous quality control testing at every stage. This normally takes about six weeks but we managed to keep the same high quality and reduce that to just two weeks,thanks to some innovative thinking and extremely long hours!
On Christmas day three models will be seen wearing our kilts which have been made in the Muted Buchanan Tartan, Muted Grant Tartan and the Weathered McLean of Duart Tartan.
And why were these Kilts so important for ITV? Well, we’re not allowed to reveal too much, but we can tell you that it involves a question to a certain Ms Joan Collins and her husband Percy Gibson. To find out more you’ll have to tune into ITV1 on Christmas day at 8pm.
Look out for more information from us soon on how the show went and details of how you can own these same beautiful tartans.
Article added by: Pauline on 21 December 2009
Next day delivery is still available here at Kiltmakers until Wednesday, so if you’re still looking for a brilliant Scottish gift we’ve got some great last minute ideas.
Don’t forget that we’re still running our FREE GIFT WRAP promotion.
A tartan scarf makes a great Christmas present for both him and her.
Made by the world’s premier tartan producers, Lochcarron, our scarves are manufactured from the highest quality lambswoolwhich makes them both extremely cosy and durable. We boast a huge range of tartans to choose from and to make things even easier you can now search by either Clan name or tartan.
Why not start by having a look at the very popular Scotland Forever tartan which was designed by us and is now one of the top sellers. Whatever your choice we know you’ll be impressed by the quality.
A fabulous stocking filler, the iconic images of Thomas Joseph are captured here in a great looking calendar.
Perfect for an office desk or sideboard and at only £6 this is a gift guaranteed to bring a smile to any one’s face – not just at Christmas but throughout the year. A word of warning though, this is one of our fastest selling products so act now to avoid disappointment.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh is renowned as one of the great designers of the last 150 years, not just in Britain but throughout the world. Here is your chance to own a little piece of his design with our Rennie Mackintosh photo frame. Etched in glass and available in 3 sizes, this distinctive frame makes a present for both friends and family.
Why not add your own photo for that personal touch?
The Heathergem design is produced using an amazing process which takes heather stems as the raw material and by a series of cutting, drying, dying, compressing and then varnishing to create beautiful and ‘unique every time‘ jewellery.
This Heathergem pendant is presented on a leather thong with a pewter clasp, which will compliment any outfit. The pendant is presented in a luxury gift box. Remember, every Heathergems product is unique for that special touch.
This simple yet elegant paperknife makes an ideal present for both the home and office.
The paperknife is decorated with the Celtic Knot design, an ancient symbol which signifies the continuation of life.
Article added by: Pauline on 1 November 2009
This Christmas we are proud to announce three fantastic offers, which you are sure to love:
1. Free Gift Wrap
Normally £3.50 per item, you can now have any purchase gift wrapped completely FREE.
Our gift wrap includes:
- High quality green wrapping paper
- Luxury gold ribbon finished into a gold bow
- Additional packaging to protect the wrapping in transit
- A complimentary gift card with your personal message
* This offer does not apply to a small number of items which are dispatched directly to you from our suppliers.
2. Free Delivery
Our free UK delivery offer continues. Remember that all In Stock orders placed before 4pm are despatched the same day. Next day and International delivery options are also available, you can view more detailed information on our Delivery Information page.
3. Half Price Engraving
We’ve reduced our engraving charge from £7.50 to just £3.75!
We have hundreds of items on the website which can be engraved including Quaichs, Hip Flasks and much more. Simply place an item in your basket and you can choose the engraving option:
