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Scots to trademark their kilts |
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Written by Felix Da Silva (fdasilva@bitnip.com)
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Friday, 29 February 2008 |
 Just like some wines can only be called champagne if it is made in the area of the
same name in France, the Scottish are trying to do the same with the traditional kilt. If successful, it would mean that only the kilts made in Scotland could call themselves
'Scottish kilts'.
According to The Independent, the idea of having 'Scottish kilts' tradmarked came from an Edinburgh-based kilt-maker, Howie Nicholsby.
He was exasperated by the influx of cheap, foreign imports calling themselves Scottish
kilts, got in touch with the Scottish Member of European Parliament Alyn Smith
to see if they could persuade the European Commission to give the Scottish kilt
protected designation of origin (PDO) status.
If they're successful in obtaining the PDO, it would mean that only kilts that were hand
sewn, made in Scotland and made from pure wool could be known as a Scottish
kilt. Those that did not meet the three criteria would simply have to be known
as kilts.
Mr. Howie Nicholsby said,
This campaign has come about through years of frustration. I grew tired of
seeing poor quality kilts selling in shops on the high street for £20 and
calling themselves Scottish kilts.
They look terrible – it's like someone wearing a dishcloth. People should
feel pride in wearing a real Scottish kilt, but people are being put off kilts
completely because the cheap ones look so bad. The PDO is something we need to
protect our industry because it's under siege. This makes sense for them to try to protect their industry and cultural dress. It shouldn't be much of a problem as 'Swiss' watches/chocolates also have something similar.
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