Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy

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Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy

Founded in 2016 by Gordon Nicolson, the Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy is preserving and elevating the heritage craft of handmade kiltmaking.

A range of courses and visitor workshops are available. Find out more at edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com In April 2009, Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers opened their first store in Edinburghs historic Canongate. The emphasis of this enterprise focused on the high quality of their kiltmaking, ensured by the hand-picked team of meticulous kilt makers. This team of skilled artisans were individually chosen because they were passionate about the craftsmanship and heritage that was woven into every kilt. After noticing a decline in quality of kilts available elsewhere, Gordon set to work on his long-term dream: to provide a comprehensive course where those who shared a passionate interest in heritage skills could learn how to make kilts to an exceptionally high standard. This was the beginning of the Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy. Previously, kilt making relied largely on traditional skills and techniques being passed from generation to generation within families and communities. Similarly, this new intensive course enables a new diverse generation to learn traditional, hand-stitching methods of kilt making, enabling students to produce exceptional kilts while also providing a thorough historical and cultural backdrop, together with a full introduction into the daily operation of a modern niche Retail business . We believe this potential highly skilled generation will revitalise the Highlandwear industry and further serve to protect and promote traditional Scottish cultural heritage. The Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy Kiltmaking Course has been constructed to rigorous standards, and on full completion, successful students will be awarded the exclusive Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy Award , heralding a new industry standard. www.edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com
Find us at ; 19 St Mary's Street, Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 1TA
Call 0131 557 4349

04/09/2026

Did you know it’s been a whole decade since Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers founded the Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy? That’s 10 years of…

🧵 Crafting to the highest standards of kiltmaking
📖 Sharing knowledge and teaching skills
🤝 Growing a supportive kiltmaking community
🪡 Protecting an endangered heritage craft
🏆 Championing the next generation of kiltmakers

Our commitment to traditional kiltmaking has only grown stronger over the years. It continues to be a privilege to uphold and teach the highest standards of the craft, while helping to protect and pass on traditional skills to future generations.

We couldn’t be more grateful for the support you’ve shown the EKA since we opened our doors in 2016. And, of course, none of this would be possible without our fantastic tutors and all of our students, past and present. Thank you 💛

Here’s to 10 years, and to everything still to come! 🥂

21/08/2026

A huge congratulations to this year’s graduates! ⭐

Whether you’ve successfully completed our full kiltmaking course or completed your twelve probationary kilts, you should all be incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication you’ve put in this year.

To Sasha, Katy, Aileen, Fiona, Rosie, Caitlin, Erik and Ella - well done! We can’t wait to see where your kiltmaking journeys take you.

And a special mention to Caitlin, pictured in the first photo, who has taken the next step in her journey by joining our kiltmaking team at Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers 🪡

It was a wonderful evening of celebrations and we couldn’t be prouder of all our graduates and our fantastic tutors. Congratulations again to everyone!

edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

23/07/2026

Based in the heart of Edinburgh, our students learn traditional hand-sewn kiltmaking from our team of experienced tutors, all of whom are EKA graduates and professional kiltmakers themselves.

From mastering technical skills to understanding the wider Highlandwear industry, every element of our teaching is designed to build confidence, skill and a genuine appreciation for traditional kiltmaking.

Along the way, students become part of a supportive community of like-minded people who share ideas, encourage one another and, of course, enjoy plenty of laughs! Classes are kept small to ensure every student receives one-to-one guidance and support tailored to their individual needs.

Learn more at edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

08/07/2026

We're proud to share some of our Introductory Course students with their finished kilts. Well done everyone, they all look fantastic!

🪡 Alison made a kilt for her son, Brennus, in Scottish Thistle tartan.

💛 Ariel made a kilt for herself Heritage of Scotland tartan.

🧵 Candy made a kilt for herself in Weathered Blackwatch tartan.

edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

19/06/2026

We’ve welcomed lots of new faces to our EKA community recently, so we thought we’d reintroduce ourselves! 🪡

The Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy was founded in 2016 to address a growing shortage of trained kiltmakers and create a clear pathway into the profession, whilst setting the standard of excellence for kiltmaking.

Long before traditional kiltmaking was officially recognised as an endangered craft in 2021, our founder, Gordon Nicolson, recognised the need to secure its future.

We provide a range of courses in traditional hand-sewn kiltmaking, alongside visitor workshops and educational talks.

Whether you’re here to learn, explore, or simply follow along, welcome! We’re delighted to have you with us, and there’s plenty more content, stories, and behind-the-scenes insights to come.

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you below! 👋

edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

16/06/2026

Documenting the standards of craftsmanship championed by Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers and the work of Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy 🪡

We’ve been looking closely at the detailed techniques that transform eight yards of fluid cloth into a finely structured kilt. Stay curious, all will be revealed!

edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

01/06/2026

Here are some of our Introductory Course students feeling very proud with their finished kilts!

Leonie made a kilt for her brother, Giles, in the Holyrood tartan.

Alison made a kilt for her son, David, in the Murray of Elibank tartan.

edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

20/05/2026

We thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating day yesterday hosting and , Interweaving Threads Residency artists.
This exciting cultural exchange is exploring the connections and contrasts between Scotland and Norway through Dress. We were delighted that Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy graduate kiltmaker Vicky, was on hand to offer valuable insight into the craft of handsewn kiltmaking, and to offer Ingrid and Owen the chance to get hands-on with some pleating and sewing tecniques.
Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers added to the investigation, discussing tartan myths, legends and truths. Then some fun with the iconic feileadh mor !
A brilliant day full of cultural comparisons, discovering unexpected similarities and enjoying compelling debate.
Our cultural heritage reflects who we are and deserves to be celebrated - Interweaving Threads is a wonderful study, and we are so excited to follow its continuing journey.

17/04/2026

Step into the wonderful world of kiltmaking! Our information days are the perfect chance to learn more about us and our courses.

Gain a hands-on insight into tartan grids, a demonstration of pleating techniques, and even a chance to enjoy pleat sewing practice 🪡🧵

Book your place at https://www.edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com/pages/information-days

19/03/2026

Another fantastic visit to 🪡🧵

Our students don’t just learn how to make kilts - they’re immersed in the whole world of kiltmaking, including what comes before: the creation of the cloth itself.

These trips reveal how kiltmaking fits within a wider network of skilled makers, giving them an invaluable perspective for their future careers in the industry.

edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com

Address

19 St Mary's Street, Old Town
Edinburgh
EH11TA

Website

http://www.edinburghkiltmakersacademy.com/, https://nicolsonkiltmakers.com/

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