Great Kilt (Feileadh-Mhor)

It is hard to beat a traditional great kilt, also known as the "breacan an fheilidh" or "feile mor". The greatkilt dates back to at least the 16th century. Traditionally, It could take up to a year to shear and spin enough wool, grown on one's own sheep, to make one kilt. Fortunately, you don't need to wait that long! (or grow the sheep, or do all that work).
The great kilt is made from double-width fabric, 54-60 inches wide. When you belt it on, more than half of the fabric is above the belt. In warm weather this extra fabric can be bustled up behind you or pinned over the shoulder (pictured). In cool or rainy weather the extra fabric can be worn over both shoulders like a cloak, or (depending on how tall you are) up over the head like a hooded cloak.
A 4 yard greatkilt will fit up to about a 34 inch waist, a 5 yard greatkilt will fit up to about a 44 inch waist, and a 6 yard greatkilt will fit up to about a 50 inch waist. If you are larger than this please contact us for pricing on larger kilts. Also, If your waist size is close to one of these limits, consider the next size larger if you want deeper pleats or pleats closer together. For example:
If you have a 34 inch waist, a 4yd greatkilt will have pleats 1.5 - 2 inches wide and 3-4 inches deep. A 5yd greatkilt will have pleats approximately 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches deep or 1.5 - 2 inches wide and 6-8 inches deep. In this example a 6yd greatkilt would be overkill with a 34 inch waist, but it would have pleats about 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches deep.
Normally, you pleat the kilt each time you wear it, and the only thing that holds it together is your belt. Each kilt comes with instructions on how to pleat and wear your kilt. You can also download them here: How to Wear the Great Kilt (Adobe PDF format). As a convenient option though, we can sew the pleats in place for you - see Cheater Pleats™ below.

See our Great Kilt history page for more interesting information.

Quick Links:
Braveheart Tartan	Synthetic Blends	Premium Wool	Cheater Pleats™

	Homespun Great Kilts Our Homespun tartan is made from a 55/45 blend of polyester and wool. It is woven by hand on old-world looms, and looks very authentic to what would have been woven historically. The yarn is worsted, but not spun as tightly as modern machine-made tartan. The cloth is also not as tightly woven. Homespun tartan will pleat by hand easily, but will not develop a sharp edge. Small snags, pulls, holes and other assorted blemishes are common. Because it is hand woven, these flaws are a natural part of it's character. Homespun is approximately a 9/10oz. fabric, but feels thicker due to it's looser weave. Homespun Great Kilt KGHS – 4 yds, $139 (fits up to a 34in waist*) KGHS – 5 yds, $169 (fits up to a 44in waist) KGHS – 6 yds, $199 (fits up to a 50in waist) Homespun tartan, 54 inches wide. Pleating instructions are included with each kilt. Traditionally these kilts are pleated each time you wear them. If you would like us to pleat the kilt for you, please select Cheater Pleats™ as an additional option. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. View our selection of in-stock homespun tartans Qty.
Braveheart Great Kilts The same 100% wool tartan, woven in Scotland by the same weaver, as the kilts used in the filming of the movie! The Braveheart tartan is very rustic, woven in natural wool and earthtones believed to be authentic to that period. Braveheart Great Kilt KGBH – 4 yds, $249(fits up to a 34in waist*) KGBH – 5 yds, $299(fits up to a 44in waist) KGBH – 6 yds, $359 (fits up to a 50in waist) Braveheart Tartan, 60 inches wide. Pleating instructions are included with each kilt. Traditionally these kilts are pleated each time you wear them. If you would like us to pleat the kilt for you, please select Cheater Pleats™ as an additional option. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. See our Braveheart Kilt page for more information. Qty.
Synthetic Blend Great Kilts Whether you are allergic to wool, or just want a great looking tartan for less, a synthetic blend is a great way to go! Hard wearing, washable, and cool to wear, to the untrained eye it is nearly indistinguishable from expensive 100% wool tartan. While the weave is not as authentic as Homespun tartan, many people appreciate the crisp look of the modern tartan fabrics in a Great Kilt. With about about 60 tartans available to choose from, it's the most affordable option for many tartans. Poly/Viscose Great Kilt KGPV – 4 yds, $159 (fits up to a 34in waist*) KGPV – 5 yds, $199 (fits up to a 44in waist) KGPV – 6 yds, $239 (fits up to a 50in waist) Light weight 11oz tartan, woven from a 65/35 blend of polyester and viscose. NOTE � poly/viscose tartans are not woven with a kilting selvedge, so the bottom edge of the kilt will be hemmed, and the top edge will be fringed. Approximately 58 inches finished width. Pleating instructions are included with each kilt. Traditionally these kilts are pleated each time you wear them. If you would like us to pleat the kilt for you, please select Cheater Pleats™ as an additional option. Special-order. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Qty.
Premium Wool Great Kilts Made from 100% pure new wool, woven in Scotland. This is the same tartan most of you are familiar with, used in modern, tailored, formal kilts. This is your best option if you are looking for a specific tartan, as there are over 500 available, and it makes a great looking Great Kilt! Great Kilt, 11oz Premium Wool KG011 – 4 yds, $339 KG011 – 5 yds, $399 KG011 – 6 yds, $499 Made from light weight 10/11oz premium wool tartan, woven in Scotland, 60" wide. This is the most commonly available tartan fabric. Makes a great looking Great Kilt, and the light weight is especially nice for hot weather wear. Pleating instructions are included with each kilt. Traditionally these kilts are pleated each time you wear them. If you would like us to pleat the kilt for you, please select Cheater Pleats™ as an additional option. Special-order. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Qty. Great Kilt, 13oz Premium Wool KG013 – 4 yds, $379 KG013 – 5 yds, $469 KG013 – 6 yds, $559 Made from medium weight 12/13oz premium wool tartan, woven in Scotland, 54" wide. Medium weight tartan will hang better and take a crisper pleat than light weight tartan, and many tartans are only available in medium weight, but it tends to be quite heavy for a Great Kilt. It is not as light and comfortable to wear as homespun, synthetic blend, or 11oz tartan. Pleating instructions are included with each kilt. Traditionally these kilts are pleated each time you wear them. If you would like us to pleat the kilt for you, please select Cheater Pleats™ as an additional option. Special-order. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.