ASKIVAL OF STRATHEARN
Wear only the finest ~
Wear an Askival Kilt
My Journey to Kilt Making
Experienced kilt maker Marion Foster hand makes and restores kilts using traditional methods, as well as running kilt making workshops at her studio in Perthshire.
Since childhood, I have loved working with textiles and showed an aptitude for sewing. I made my first kilt at the age of 16 for the very good reason that as a Cub Scout leader, I needed one! Kilt making guidance proved to be in short supply, and I was left wondering how my kilt could be made to fit like a glove. At a later stage in my life, I heard about a kilt school founded by Rob McBain, a former Master Kilt Maker of the Gordon Highlanders, who predicted that the art of traditional kilt making was heading for extinction.
Overjoyed at the prospect of learning the demanding and intricate tailoring skills required of a bespoke kilt maker, I was fortunate indeed to have trained under one of Rob’s protégés, Beverley Scarlet.
Beverley was involved in developing the National Occupational Standards for Kilt Making and the SVQ in Traditional Handcraft Kilt-Making Skills, and the courses which Beverley and I offer at the Kilt College at the Studio will be based on these standards. Our vision is to make the coaching and ongoing learning of the kilting craft more accessible to those who are inspired to be kilt makers or who just want to make a kilt for a special person.
Askival of Strathearn Studio
In 2009, I was privileged to purchase “Askival”, a secluded rural residence just 10 minutes from the Fair City of Perth, and my vision included creating a purpose-built studio. The resultant inspiring creative space boasts attractive solid oak beams and a glass gable-end overlooking the beautiful Strathearn Valley. It has the perfect ambience of peace, innovation, and creativity.
Having this wonderful facility allows me to combine earning a living with pursuing my passion to sustain our cultural heritage by raising the profile of the traditional kilt, taking private commissions and providing training workshops for our future kilt makers.
As I had identified at a young age, it is difficult to learn the craft through the written word and indeed there is little in the way of written guidance. The skill of kilt making is acquired experientially through excellent coaching and patience. It is, therefore, important to ensure that the knowledge and wisdom of the old guard are not lost, and to grasp every opportunity to pass them on.
While predominantly the quality of the High Street bespoke or mass-produced, off-the-peg kilts is perfectly acceptable, while retaining a competitive price point, the authentic hand-sewn, bespoke kilt epitomises an enduring tradition, unsurpassed technique and unique style that must live on.
