The first kilt worn by highlanders in the 1500s was known as the Feileadh Mor or belted plaid. As described in various other blogs, it was no more than a length of tartan that was folded and wrapped around the body. The beauty of this style of kilt was that once you had the length of material, it wasn’t too difficult to create the great kilt. The Feileadh Beag or little kilt was only invented in the 18th century and unlike the belted plaid, it took a high level of craftsmanship to create the signature look of a kilt.  Early Kilt-Making The history of kilt-making is disrupted thanks to the Dress Act of 1746 which made wearing highland dress illegal in Scotland. While historical references suggest that the Feileadh Beag or little kilt was being worn before highland dress was banned, it wasn’t until the law was repealed in 1782 that the artistry of kilt-making really started to take off. After the 36-year period of highland dress being illegal, there was a real effort to bring back as much of the highland way of life as possible. While the kilt was never worn as an everyday piece of clothing again, it did gain rapid popularity as a ceremonial article. While demand for kilts grew, so did the number of kiltmakers. These kiltmakers would have been taught by the older generation, using their skills, tips and tricks to create what has now become an iconic item of clothing. Kilts back then would have all been made by hand which is a highly-skilled, lengthy process and as a result, kilts were expensive. It really wasn’t until the late 1800s when sewing machines were readily available that kilts became more accessible to the ordinary Scot. Who makes the best kilts in Scotland? The answer to who makes the best kilts in Scotland is a difficult one to answer. Not because there aren’t different quality of kilts out there, but because there are different kilts for different occasions. Different materials are also used to make a kilt, so the best kilt for one person might not be the best for the next.  For example, a poly-viscose 5-yard kilt is the perfect kilt choice for someone who wants a lightweight kilt for going to a rugby match or taking on holiday. These types of kilts can be bought anywhere from tourist shops on high streets to specialist kiltmakers. The place that will make the best version of this kilt will come down to preference and more times than not, the price will be a determining factor in that opinion. A groom on the other hand won’t want to wear a poly-viscose 5-yard kilt for his big day. A groom would be looking for a 100% worsted wool, traditional 8-yard kilt. These kilts should be made-to-measure by an expert kiltmaker. These kilts are considerably more expensive than the high street options, but for a groom, price isn’t as much of a determining factor. A groom is more concerned about the service he receives, the choices he has, and the expertise that’s available during his decision-making process.  When it comes to hiring a kilt, the kilt shop with the best kilts is the one that balances the quality of the actual kilt with the overall quality of the hiring process. While the kilt needs to look good, it’s equally essential that the process of booking, picking up and returning the kilt is just as good. Does the kilt shop allow you to book your kilt online, do they offer a postal service, and is there an easy line of communication if you have any questions or issues? These are all things that go into making the best hire kilt. Do MacGregor and MacDuff make the best kilts in Scotland? This is a question that only our customers can answer. Of course, we strive to be the best kiltmaker in Scotland, but the real proof is in the proverbial pudding. What we can tell you is that we have over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot and our overall rating is 4.8 out of 5. We have arguably the biggest selection of highlandwear to buy and hire in Scotland, if not the world. We have an industry-leading Virtual Appointment Service where you can get the kilt shop experience from the comfort of your own home and pop-up kilt fitting services in London, Manchester, New York, and Toronto, with more to come. We have a wedding party service that is available to all our grooms where we take the stress out of organising the outfits for not just the groom, but for his whole wedding party too. We have partnerships with some of Scotland's most innovative brands and are able to offer unique experiences like The Groom's Room where grooms can enjoy a whisky or two while getting a shave and cut on the morning of their wedding. We can help you design your very own tartan and once you buy a kilt from us, we will always be here for you with our lifetime guarantee. While the kilts in both our hire and purchase range are of the highest quality, what stands us apart from other kiltmakers, is so much more. So why don’t you answer the question for us? Buy or hire a kilt from us and get the full MacGregor and MacDuff experience. Book an appointment with us and you be the judge.