Traditional Kilts: Tartans & Tweeds

Ardalanish Farm lies in the remote southwest corner of the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, just south of the small town of Bunesan. In addition to growing organic turnips and potatos, they also rear Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep for organic meat. In addition, the sheep's wool is used for knitting and weaving. Their farming practices represent the belief in the primary importance of understanding the land and its needs and allowing ecological relationships to develop with animals already co-evolved with the environment. The Hebridean sheep reared on the farm possibly descended from Viking stock, which evolved centuries ago in the Western Isles of Scotland. Their lustrous dark wool makes hard-wearing articles - traces of similar wool have been found in ancient Island burial chambers.

Isle of Mull weavers work hand-in-hand with the organic farm to produce a fine range of designer and country tweeds, as seen below. The exact shade of wool varies from animal to animal and from year to year so that every garment made is unique, with natural colours ranging from black and charcoal brown through to silver.

As well as wool from Ardalanish Farm, the mill sources wool from other breeders of native breed sheep from the Hebrides, Argyllshire, Glen Lyon, Stirlingshire and North Yorkshire. A fair price is paid for these traditional wools and, most importantly, Ardalanish is the first tweed mill ever to be certified organic by the Soil Association.

The current selection, pictured below, consists of tweeds made from either undyed or naturally dyed native breed wool. All "organic" tweeds are made to Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and certified by the Soil Association. All "ethical" tweeds are made to similar standards but also contain wool from breeders of native sheep that do not hold organic certification.

As your kiltmaker, I am happy to offer the full range of organic and ethical tweeds in my traditional four yard box pleated kilts. The prices quoted below are for four yard kilt (traditional box pleated kilts made to measurements of 46" or less). If you desire a different style, such as a Kingussie pleat, or your size requires more yardage, I am happy to oblige but please contact me for a price quote. I am also happy to talk with you about custom kilt jackets and waistcoats from this cloth.

You will find the ordering information for these kilts below the sample chart. Please note my price scale for these tweeds is different from my standard tartan kilts. Click on any thumbnail image below to enlarge.

Undyed Natural Wool

Price 1: $465 (price for 4 yard kilt)