Going to Scotland

[Stu]

We're off up to Scotland next month staying in a converted radar station in a remote village called Haroldswick, about 200 miles north of John-o'Groats. We're calling at Aberdeen for lunch on the way and I'm going to have a look for an inexpensive kilt in a solid colour. If I do manage to get one, I'll post some piccies.

Stu

[miniskirt07]

good shop is at Edinburgh or Inverness and some in Aberdeen and it long way to John O`Groat via Inverness -- you find good kilt in Scotland you can find and buy

[Milfmog]

Hi Stu,

I spent the last week on the west coast of Scotland around Oban and Fort William. No shortage of shops selling cheapish kilts there, (50 to 60 pounds) but it is easy to find cheaper solid colours (especially the solid colours - for some reason the Scottish shops seem to major on tartans ) on the web. When we drove back we stopped for fuel at the motorway service area off the M80 in Stirling. There is a tourist information centre and souvenir shop in the services that had the same brand of kilts and Jacobite shirts I'd been seeing al week for markedly less money, kilts £40 and shirts £20 (they were £30 everywhere else I saw them).

However if you are going to Haroldswick, Shetland, I guess you will be flying so the above is not likely to be much help.

Have fun,


Ian.

[Stu]

Thanks for the advice. We're going across on the car ferry, but it doesn't depart until about 7pm and we are planning to arrive in Aberdeen by about 2pm, so we'll have some time to kill in the city before embarkation. That's when my good lady will want to do a bit of shopping and I'll have chance to look around for a (cheapish, preferably under £100) kilt. I'd like a solid colour one because i would like to buy a genuine Fair Isle sweater in when we land in Lerwick and it would be easier to match a fussy-patterned sweater to a plain kilt than to a tartan one.

Stu

[cessna152towser]

I'd be surprised if you find any kilt shops in the Shetland Islands. I've never been that far north but I can say that I did not see any kilts or kilt shops when I have been to the Orkney Islands, once you get so far north the traditions are more viking than Scottish, indeed the Shetland fiddlers never wear kilts when they perform. You may find kilt shops in Aberdeen or en route. Most of the larger towns have at least one specialist kilt shop, we have one here in Hawick, population 15,000, on the A7 tourist route from Carlisle to Edinburgh. Let me know if you are passing through this way, though its not the fastest route if you are rushing to reach Aberdeen. As others have said, cheaper kilts can be bought in the touristy places, no harm in those, but they are usually light weight polycotton or acryllic.

[Since1982]

I'd be surprised if you find any kilt shops in the Shetland Islands. I've never been that far north but I can say that I did not see any kilts or kilt shops when I have been to the Orkney Islands, once you get so far north the traditions are more viking than Scottish, indeed the Shetland fiddlers never wear kilts when they perform.

That seems strange to me. Since all garments named kilts are derivative (sp?) of the Viking garment "Kilten" and have Viking roots, I'd think the farther north you got the more kilts you'd see. Go figure..I guess when the Scottish Highlanders pre-empted the Viking kilten in the 1100's to 1200's and by the 1700's kilts were known as an "only" Scottish garment, the Vikings had been out of time and had become part of the the greater Scandinavian countries melting pot. Or maybe I'm wrong. Lord knows, I've been wrong before.

[Milfmog]

I did not see any kilts or kilt shops when I have been to the Orkney Islands

I found two kilt shops in the Orkneys (specifically Kirkwall) last year but both were selling hand made upmarket jobs that were waaaaay beyond my budget and which, in all honesty, I'd probably be too frightened to wear in case I damaged them. I had a feeling that they were both representing the same tailor but could not swear to that.

Have fun,


Ian.

[JRMILLER]

Guys,
I looked up the Shetland I. and Haroldswick. What is there "to do" on vacation in such a remote place? I am interested in visiting Scotland, so if not Haroldswick, then what are your favorite places and why?

[Stu]

cessna

I have found a couple of kilt shops in Aberdeen on the Internet. If I don't see something within my price range there, I may make a detour on the way home via Edinburgh where I reckon I'll be spoiled for choice.

JR Miller

I have been to Scotland in the past but the Shetland lie far to the north of the coast of northern Scotland. We expect them to be extremely quiet, scenic and full of great nature like whales (if we're very lucky), seals, otters and a plethora of sea birds. There's also a lot of history there including castles and pre-historic settlements (like a recently discovered house built aroung 5,000 BC. If we like the place enough, we may even decide to buy a property there!

Stu

[JRMILLER]

Stu,
Is it expensive to vacation there? How about the flight in? Sounds very interesting!

[Stu]

John

Flights vary in price from Aberdeen from as little as £30 up to £200, depending when you fly and with which airline (usually British Airways or Flybe). In the summer months, you can also fly directly from London. We are sailing by overnight car ferry from Aberdeen (Northlink Ferries) and that's costing us £440, including taking the car and three passengers with an overnight cabin. Accommodation varies in price, but hotels start at about £50 per room per night or you can get self-catering flats from about £30 per night up to about £80 per night. There is also bed-and-breakfast, which is even cheaper. Check these out:

http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/KpKqLpLq/
http://www.shetlandhotels.com/shetland/default.html
http://www.destinationscotland.com/acco ... ?region=28
http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/

Best regards

Stu

[miniskirt07]

the cheaper flight from London to Aberdeen is FlyBMI or Easyjet -- then can fly (small plane by BA or Loganair) or ferry to Shetland - it really nice and see all places up the Highlands included Shetland Island.

[Departed Member]

My best mate has lived near Kirkwall (Orkney) for many years now. From what he says, Kilts are like 'hen's teeth' around those parts, even at their version of caelidhs, 'cept perhaps worn by a visitor, and then but rarely. Most Orcadians don't regard themselves as "Scottish", so I would expect even less do in the Shetlands!

[Stu]

Most Orcadians don't regard themselves as "Scottish", so I would expect even less do in the Shetlands

Merlin - I have heard that also about the Shetlands. In fact, I asked a Shetlander whether or not there are any anti-English feelings in the Shetlands as there are in many parts of Scotland. She told me that she has never encountered that, but she has encountered some resentment of mainland Scots! That did surprise me. Apparently, there is a sizeable minority of Shetlanders who want their islands to revert to Danish rule, plus others who want complete independence.

Stu

[miniskirt07]

Shetland it very close to Norway not Denmark - it like Viking between Shetland and Norway.