News that made the Guardian and Scotsman newspapers last week was the launch of the "under £25" kilt from the Lidl supermarket and these “kilts” sold out within the day. There was disappointed for Scotsmen south of the border because the kilts were only available in Scotland. Disappointment too because these kilts were not made from wool nor were they of the traditional 8 yard traditional variety much loved and cherished by Scotsmen around the world. Gareth Maclean, writing in Monday’s Guardian said, “... there's still something wrong with this bargain-basement version of Scottish national dress. Never mind that the shirt has an unpleasant echo of early Spandau Ballet, the kilt simply doesn't have the import it would if it cost what it should rather than what it can be made for in a cut-price factory somewhere. Putting it on, you get no feeling of the heritage of the outfit, no sense of its significance. Instead, you're overwhelmed with the unpleasant sensation that you're all set to head out on a stag night. In Reading.”

We Scots love a bargain but is this just taking it a step too far? Perhaps not, certainly at the rate they sold out there must have been a strong demand. But surely the cost of a pure new wool handmade kilt in your own clan tartan that is cared for and worn with pride is a better bargain as it represents our heritage and originates in Scotland where the wool is woven and made by highly skilled kilt makers that take the greatest of care in pleating and hand stitching for individual customers.  I do wonder where these “kilts “originate as they are made from five yards of polyester viscose which even at globally reduced prices leaves little profit. I dread to think what the maker was paid.

On the other hand Robert, from blogging from Dundee said, "unfortunately as much as I would love to, I can’t afford £300+ for the real thing. I prefer these kilts as you can bung them in the washing machine rather than have the expense of dry cleaning!"

If you want a kilt to represent your Scottish heritage go the whole hog and buy a made to measure handmade traditional 8 yard kilt in pure new wool and be proud to wear it – looked after carefully it should last a life time HAND MADE KILTS