Hire of the Month: October John Muir Way Customers who choose John Muir Way to hire in the month of October will receive a 10% discount! Released in April 2014 to celebrate the opening of the eponymous 215 km John Muir Way, this tartan is an ode to the spectacular coastline of East Lothian. The red stone cliffs and bright blue seas and skies of Dunbar remain much unchanged since a young John Muir began his long journey to America in 1849. Today, it is home to the Nicolson family - making this a tartan close to Gordon’s heart. With the approval of Scottish Natural Heritage, he married the v ..read more

The Xbox Tartan Controller Designed by Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers for Xbox We are exceptionally proud to announce that the Xbox Tartan Controller designed to commemorate 20 years of Xbox in Scotland is now on display for the first time ever in the V&A Dundee in their newly opened exhibiton that will run until January 2024. We have had a lot of response to the Xbox controller featured at the V&A and in our Cannongate store - rightly so! Unfortunatley, the controllers are not for sale, nor can you showcase any other tartan on your own controller! Althought the limited edition tartan ..read more

  Recently #GNKfamily have received an upsurge in requests for information from various areas of the press and media, regarding the issue of non-Scots wearing Kilts and Highlandwear. We always welcome an opportunity to share our insights and expertise and so take time to respond as fully as possible to each enquiry, including examples and evidence to support our viewpoint. It can therefore be more than a little disappointing when the resulting articles choose to misrepresent, re-hash or simply ignore the information we supply, and erroneously report in our name. As a means of clarific ..read more

From the clansmen of Scotland, to the Kings of Great Britain all way to the modern day catwalk. Tartan has kept a prominent spot in fashion for centuries. The story of the kilt and tartan is long, winding and dramatic...and it's not even close to being over. Fashion Week showcases designers both new and established as they unveil their new collection for the season. Recently, the fashion week concept has come under fire and the "need" for constant, huge, new collections from designers questioned - is it sustainable, is it fair on the staff of these houses and is it even necessary to be produ ..read more

Perhaps you've run out of kilt hangers. Or full highlandwear feels a bit too OTT for the occasion. Maybe you're worried about outshining the groom. Or have you been feeling the cold in your knees...? Whatever your reason, trews are the solution. An accessible route into highlandwear. Or, let's face it, just another excuse to buy something in tartan. We're Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers. But we make a fine pair of trews too.   Argyll A versatile cut, Argyll trews sit just a bit higher than your everyday suit trousers. A popular crossover item that will work on both formal and informal o ..read more

Call it the Outlander effect but kilt belts and buckles have never been more popular. But whilst you wouldn't want to step out in a belted plaid without one (the clue's in the name) they are far from essential. The only time when the team at GNK will insist on putting you in a kilt belt is when you're wearing a kilt jacket without a waistcoat. Otherwise, it's a question of taste. And the man who loves accessories will rarely stop at a sporran. How To Wear It: With a wooly jumper for Highland Games; instead of a waistcoat for a forgiving kilt-meets-shirt hinterland; or with anything you like ..read more

This year GNK had the honour of sponsoring a very talented young British Showjumper! Louise and Eve Nicolson have a firm fondness for horses and each year GNK proudly attends the Blair Castle International Horse Trials. It made perfect sense to get behind Summer Edmond and her beautiful horse Donald as they successfully jumped their way through the season. Let's hear a little more from Summer about her riding career and sponsorship... "Strangely enough I wasn't a big fan of animals when I was very young then at around 6 years old I visited a friends yard that had a couple of horses and I ..read more

Sometimes it’s nice to go barefoot. Walking hand in hand along a beach with a loved one. Or in bed. But for all other contexts, we are delighted to offer elegant highland footwear solutions. If you’re not sure whether to go black or brown, ask yourself what you’d wear with a suit to the occasion. And be sure to match your shoes to your sporran.  Ghillie Brogue The most traditional form of Scottish footwear, the Ghillie began its life as a rural working shoe. The perforations - common to all brogues - and absence of a tongue meant that water could drain out easily. And the long laces ..read more

The King's Kilted Jaunt and its Everlasting Impact. The visit of George IV in 1822 will forever be a turning point in the story of kilts and tartan. The lead up to this event saw tartan commissioned on a never before seen scale, the words of Sir Walter Scott echoed through the nation and a thirst for all things Scottish thrived. So how did the King's Jaunt impact the world of kilts and tartan and to what extent are we still benefiting from a 200 year old event today?   The Past Feelings and emotions were running high – unrest and upset after the tumultuous decades of Jacobite rebelli ..read more

Some ties you can’t wait to loosen - others you’ll want to keep on all night. We offer a wide range of specialist neckwear. From plain ties designed to bring your highlandwear look together to tartan dicky bows to make a statement out of the most ordinary outfit. Bow Ties Our most formal accessory. A bow tie is a must if you’re wearing a three-buttoned Prince Charlie waistcoat. (Try a normal tie and you’ll spend the entire event tucking it back in). Can also be worn with an Argyll to up the ante for super swanky occasions. Shop Bow Ties Plain Ties The fabric for our plain straight ties c ..read more