Former Balloch kilt maker given MBE

Nov 14 2008 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

A FORMER Balloch woman’s lifelong commitment to preserving and promoting one of Scotland’s oldest traditions will receive Royal recognition later this month.

Sandra Fyfe travels to Buckingham Palace on November 21 to receive an MBE for services to the kilt-making industry.

Sandra began making kilts when she left school at the age of 16 – and 44 years later is still steeped in her craft.

It was in 2006, while working with Argyll Bagpipes and Kilts, that she made the sample kilt for the newly formed Royal Regiment of Scotland, which is now the standard for all other RRS kilts.

She was also instrumental in helping the company become the first kilt-maker to receive a quality accreditation.

Sandra, who moved from Balloch to Kilmarnock a year ago, learned her trade as a teenager at a factory in Paisley.

She said: “When I left school, I trained with a company in Paisley where I lived at the time and I just took it from there. I’ve always done kilt-making, except when I took a break to have my family.

“I very much enjoy it and that’s the reason I do it. I plan to continue to do so as long as I am able. I take great pleasure and great pride in the work.”

It takes Sandra, who is self-employed and works from home, around a day to create one of her hand-made kilts – the traditional way.

She said: “The industry has changed a lot in the last few years. Many companies are into machine-made kilts which I don’t think are traditional. Not a lot has changed in traditional kilt-making.”

One aspect of the job Sandra most enjoys is passing on her skills and knowledge to the country’s future kilt makers.

“It’s nice to be able to pass on traditions to younger people as there’s always a concern that some of the skills will be lost,” she said.

“A youngster that I taught stopped me in the supermarket and thanked me. She has a young family and can carry on her trade and work from home. It means so much to know that it’s appreciated.”

Sandra said she “couldn’t believe it” when she was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June. And she paid tribute to her family who will accompany her to London for her big day.

“I have a wonderful husband, son and daughter of whom I’m extremely proud and for this to happen to me is the icing on the cake of my life,” she said.

Husband Christopher, daughter Kirstin and son Christopher have planned a surprise for after the palace ceremony at which, of course, the two men will be wearing kilts made by Sandra.