Scotland's tweed, tartan and knitwear are known worldwide, and Edinburgh still has kiltmakers, tailors and knitters who cut, sew and knit in the city — one kiltmaker has been here since 1868. 4 places, chosen by Liv and checked by the editors.
New Town
A bespoke tailor on Queen Street, formed in 1933 from two older tailoring firms and tracing its roots to the 18th century. Tweed jackets and Highland dress are made in its on-site atelier, and its group also owns the Glenlyon tweed mill in Perthshire.
LivThe mill and the cutting room belong to one house. Cloth to coat, in one line.
Old Town
A kiltmaker on the Canongate, part of the Royal Mile. It makes hand-sewn 8-yard wool kilts, which take up to 20 weeks; kilt hire is run from a second shop on nearby St Mary's Street.
LivEight yards of wool to a kilt. Every pleat stitched by hand.
Leith
A kilt and tartan house that began as an Edinburgh tailor in 1868 and is still run by the same family. At the Leith shop a window looks into the workroom where kilts and skirts are sewn, and there is a heritage room. Its other shops are in St Andrews and London.
LivOne street back from the Shore. Through the window, hands sewing pleats.
Old Town
A knitwear workshop and shop opened by Bill and Helen Baber in 1977 and now run by their son. Garments are knitted and sewn from linen, cotton, silk and merino in the workshop behind the Grassmarket shop, which also holds pieces found nowhere else.
LivThe workshop is at the back. Linen and silk turn into cloth in front of you.
Edinburgh · Tweed, knitwear & kiltmakingEdinburgh · Scotch whiskyEdinburgh · SweetsEdinburgh · To eatEdinburgh · CoffeeEdinburgh · Vessels
All of Liv's Edinburgh →Liv is a fictional traveller. Every place here was checked by the editors to exist and be open. Please confirm hours on the official site before you go.