Do we need to make an appointment?
Yes, while we do offer walk ins at quieter periods, we would always recommend to book an appointment to avoid disappointment. Appointment bookings can be made here.

What is the booking process for a wedding?
We recommend that the groom & partner book an appointment to come in first to choose the outfits and fill in a wedding party form so we have all the information ready for the rest of their party coming to be measured rather than bringing everyone in together. That way we find is a lot easier and makes it all run smoother than bringing everyone in at once and trying to make all the decisions at the same time as having everyone measured. The rest can then make their own appointments and when they tell us which group they are with, we have all the information ready to get them booked in.

When is the latest I can come in to be sized?
We recommend coming in a minimum of 7 days before your event to avoid disappointment. In some cases we can book hires out 48 hours before the event, however these occur a late charge of £20.

What age does your hire range start from?
Our children’s hire range starts 18 months however we do sell baby kilts for younger ones. These can be found here.

Why does the appointment system only lets me book for 2 people?
Our booking system is set up so that in order for you to get our undivided attention, each booking for a member of staff is set to a maximum of two people. If you are looking to book for more than two people, you can book back to back appointments or book multiple appointments at the same time if available. For large bookings it is best to contact the store directly, all contacts for each store can be found here.

What’s included in the hire outfit?
A standard hire includes:

• Kilt with matching flashes
• Jacket & Waistcoat
• Sporran
• Neckwear of Choice
• Ghillie or Day Brogues
• Imitation Sgian Dubh (Adults only)

Please note that hose (kilt socks) and shirts are not included. These can be purchased separately from £16.50. Cufflinks and kilt pins can also be purchased from £4.50 and £20 each respectively.

Other items can be hired individual too. Prices & item breakdown can be found here.

Are all accessories in the kilt outfit necessary?

The short answer is no. Each item in the outfit has a reason whether practical or traditional, the “rules” and suggestions of how to wear a kilt outfit are much less strict now with modern styles are gaining popularity.

What items do I keep?
Any items that were not hired are yours to keep. For example if you purchased hose, a shirt or cufflinks, these would all be yours to keep.

Can I wear a tartan if I am not part of the clan?

Yes, anyone can wear a clan tartan. Only tartans which are restricted by the maker or person that designed it have restrictions on who can wear the tartan.

Are there any discounts offered?
In-store we offer both Blue Light and Student discounts with valid identification.

For hire we offer a Groom Goes Free package offer where if you hire 5 outfits you get your 6th free. For all hire customers, we also offer 20% off any retail purchases made too.

For online customers, if you sign up to our newsletter you will receive an email with a 10% off discount code. This is applicable for sales items, not on any hires booked online.

Can someone else collect my outfit?
Yes your hire can be collected by someone else, however on collection we would ask to confirm your details such as full name and address. It is recommended that if you wish for someone else to collect your hire on your behalf to email or call us to let us know.

Can I hire individual items?
Yes you can. You can see a full break down of what individual items we hire and the pricing on our brochure. It can be viewed here.

Can I pay online for my instore order?

No you cannot pay for your ins-store order online, however if you cannot make it in to store for whatever reason it can be paid over the phone.

Can I hire my own clan tartan?
We offer a range of clan and non clan tartans. You can view our full hire tartan range here. If your clan is not in our hire range, providing cloth availability we can have a bespoke kilt made for you. Our made to measure kilts start from £499.

How do I pick a tartan?

Not everyone likes their clan tartan, and you are under no obligation to wear it. Picking based on your favourite colours is a good choice or if it’s for your wedding then based on the weddings theme. Instore we have hundreds of samples to choose from and we can help you narrow it down based on colours, shades, and styles.

How long does it take for a kilt to be made?
Made-to-measure kilt usually takes around 6-8 weeks to be made. Therefore, coming in 10-12 weeks prior to when you need your outfit is advised to ensure all items are available in time to cover any delays or last-minute alterations.

How long will it take my order to arrive (internet order)?
For stocked items we aim to post out your order same day, and delivery times will be based on the delivery service you chose.

If your item is not in stock or is made to order, the delivery times will be in the product description.

In some instances there may be a delay in getting your item to you, if this is the case we would always get in touch and let you know.

Can I have my tracking number?
If you ordered with a courier delivery option, you will automatically be sent a tracking number via APC to your email. If you are an International customer, your tracking number will also be sent via Parcel2Go or the relevant courier service. If you chose the Royal Mail 2nd Class or 1st Class Recorded these are untracked services.

Can I order samples of fabrics before purchasing a made-to-measure kilt?

Yes, you can order any samples of items such as tartans. This is a great choice if you are unsure in which tartan you want to wear and would like to sit with it first.

What is all included in a purchase kilt outfit?

In a purchase kilt outfit, you will get everything you need for a full outfit including:

• Kilt & Flashes
• Jacket and waistcoat,
• Sporran,
• Sgian dubh
• Kilt pin
• Hose,
• Neckwear of choice
• Shirt
• Shoes

What weight of material do I want?

Tartan is woven in 3 main weights of Worsted Wool: Heavy, Medium and Light Weight fabric.

Heavy Weight (16oz per linear yard): This weight of cloth is considered the premium weight of kilting fabric. The extra weight in the cloth allows the pleats on the kilt to appear fuller and the swing on the kilt is shown to its full advantage. The size of the sett is normally the same as medium weight, occasionally slightly larger. The premium weight cloth is also harder wearing; therefore the kilt lasts longer. This cloth does not require as much pressing as the cloth does not crease as easily as the other weights.

Medium Weight (13.5oz per linear yard): Medium weight cloth is mainly used for kilts and military trews. The medium weight kilt retains its look and is also light enough to be worn abroad

Light Weight (11oz per linear yard: Used for Ladies Skirts, waistcoats, ties, children's kilts etc. The size of the sett is normally much smaller on this weight of material. The overall weight of the material makes it lighter and is therefore a better weight of cloth for the items indicated and accessories.

How else can I wear a kilt, more informally?

You can wear a kilt any time you'd wear trousers! Kilts are amazingly versatile, and can be used to create countless looks, according to the impact you want to make! This could include a tweed jacket, shirt and tie; or a chunky jersey, rolled-down socks, and hiking boots; or the romantic, loose-fitting Jacobite shirt; or a simple T-shirt and sneakers, with or without socks. In the end, wherever and however you wear your kilt, you'll be on the receiving end of plenty of admiring attention!

Do you pleat your kilts to the “Sett” or the “Stripe”?

The repeating pattern of a tartan means that two quite distinct appearances can be created to the rear of a kilt, depending on how it is pleated. Kilts can be pleated either to the “Sett”, so that the tartan pattern is preserved in the pleating, or else to the “Stripe”, so that the same vertical line is centered on each pleat. Traditionally civilian kilts were pleated to the Sett, and military to the Stripe, but ultimately it is a matter of taste. McCalls pleat kilts to the sett unless otherwise requested. If you would prefer yours pleated to the stripe, please just specify this (including which colour of vertical stripe to pleat to) when you order from McCalls.