The Kingussie Pleat is one of the rarest and most distinctive pleating styles in Highland dress. It features a prominent central rounded pleat with flat pleats radiating outwards on either side, creating a striking and elegant appearance unlike any other kilt.
This historic style is exceptionally rare, with only three surviving examples known to exist worldwide. The first was discovered in the town of Kingussie in the Scottish Highlands, from which the pleating style takes its name. Although its exact origins remain a mystery, the Kingussie Pleat offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland's rich kiltmaking heritage.
Every Kingussie Kilt is individually hand-stitched in-house at The Kiltmakery by our own experienced kiltmakers and made to your exact measurements. While the pleating style is unique, we still shape the kilt through the back pleats rather than the aprons, allowing it to contour naturally to your body and providing the same exceptional fit, drape and swing as our traditional knife-pleated kilts.
Your Kingussie Kilt can be made in either 13oz medium weight or 16oz heavyweight pure wool tartan. If you can't see your chosen tartan listed, simply contact us at hello@kiltmakery.com and we'll be happy to see if we can source it for you.
Every handmade kilt is supplied with a matching pair of tartan flashes, completing your outfit in true Highland style.
Taking your measurements
Measurements are quite simple to take and we will check them over before making your kilt.
You will need someone else to measure you. Stand straight looking forward while they take your measurements.
Kilt Waist: This is taken around the 'natural waist'. This needs to be quite a tight measurement, the natural waist is usually around the level of the belly button.
Kilt Seat: This is a loose measurement taken around the widest part - so usually the widest part of the bottom. The tape measure needs to be quite loose for this - a good idea is to keep 3 fingers inside the tape measure.
Kilt Length: Still standing straight, looking forward measure from 1 inch above the natural waist (so belly button level) straight down to either the top of the knee or the middle of the knee depending on your preference. Bending the knee slightly can reveal where the middle of the knee is.
