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The Coyotes Curling Club is pleased to let you know that we will be hosting a Learn To Curl class DECEMBER 9th. The off ice portion of the class will start shortly after check in at 6:30pm. During the off ice portion of the class, we will go over the history of the game, how to play, and what to look for out on the ice. We will then take to the ice at 7:20pm for two hours of on ice curling instruction! The Curling Club has all of the gear you need to curl, just dress warmly, in layers, and bring dry clean running shoes (the flatter the better) to wear out on the ice!

Spaces for the class are limited to 40 so please fill out your registration form quickly and get them back in as the class is filled on a first come, first serve basis. Someone from the Club will contact you to confirm your spot once we have received your form. To get your form, please follow this link to our site: http://www.coyotescurling.com/Learn%20To%20Curl.htm

Coyotes Curling Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coyotes-Curling-Club/161287086731

Why are some bagpipes priced at $60 and some are priced at $1,500?

Most people safely (& correctly) assume that we sell & rent kilts at our Scottish store in Scottsdale, Arizona. What a lot of folks may not know is that we ALSO sell bagpipes, reeds, cases and many other items associated with the Scottish Bagpipe.

While I am out playing my bagpipes, I get a lot of questions about my outfit, my instrument, as well as my family heritage. One of the most common questions is “What does a bagpipe cost?”

Just like anything else, there is a cost range for bagpipes – some can go all the way up to $9,000, while others are priced at $60.

So what’s the deal – why are some bagpipes priced so low and others are priced over $1,000?

Let’s look at this a different way: anyone can get a toy harmonica for $2, but if you want to really learn how to play like a professional, you are going to need to be packing a bit more than a toy. You will need a bona fide American made instrument, right?

On occasion we will have a customer walk in to our store holding a set of bagpipes. They would like us to give an evaluation and estimate on the bagpipes they brought in which they bought either online or at a local pawn shop. Over 75% of the time, I have to break the bad news to the customer and tell them that the bagpipes are only worth $20 and they really cannot (and should not) be played.

I can hear you saying to yourself “Hold on…these cheap bagpipes are not toys… they are real instruments…they do actually work, correct?”

Before we go any further, let’s clear something up. The knock-off bagpipes I am referring to are made in the Middle East of very, very (VERY) low quality wood that is ultra rough, lightweight, and sometimes painted or stained to resemble the look of African Blackwood. African Blackwood is what most Scottish bagpipes are made from. The bag on these pipes is not airtight and the reeds that come with the pipes do not work. When I say “do not work” I mean they will never sound decent.

As they come, these bogus bagpipes will not sound decent or work properly unless you do the following:
• Buy a new bag that is made by a reputable company. L&M Highland or Shepherd Bagpipes in Scotland are reputable companies that we frequently recommend. The cost on these bags can run $160 to $300.
• Buy new drone reeds. The cost of a good set of reeds is around $80.
• Replace the pipe chanter (the part that sticks out of the bottom of the bagpipe where your hands go). This replacement will run you about $160.
So far the total cost is $400 (on the low side) and even then the bore (the inside) of these pipes are not made with precision so they will never sound great. In all likelihood you will not be happy with a set like this and will probably end up getting a real set when you decide to stick with the hobby.

Authentic bagpipes are made in the UK, the USA, and Canada. Genuine pipes will always have a name brand like Kintail, David Naill, Dunbar, Peter Henderson, McCallum, Shepherd, and many more. The least expensive authentic wooden set will cost over $1,000 new. You might be able to find a good deal on a used set but make sure it has a name brand and check out the manufacturer’s website to make sure they are makers of legitimate bagpipes.

My final, and some would say most important, bit of advice: don’t buy bagpipes that are made in the Middle East or Asia unless you plan on hanging them on the wall as Man Cave decoration. If that is your plan, take off the plaid bag cover and get a solid bag cover – the plaid bag cover looks hokey.

If you need some advice on buying a used set that is posted online somewhere, call us and ask for Wheaton or Michael. We will be more than happy to check it out for you and ensure that the item you’re looking at buying is kosher.

Until next time,

Wheaton McClanathan
Kilt Rental USA & Claymore Imports
480-460-0907

Understanding the different shades of colors used in authentic tartans (kilts).

The shades of color in a tartan can be altered to produce variations of the same tartan. The resulting variations are termed Modern, Ancient, Weathered, and Muted. These terms refer to color only.

MODERN represents a tartan that is colored using chemical dye, as opposed to natural dye. The reds and yellows will be vibrant, and the greens and blues will be dark.

ANCIENT refers to a lighter shade of tartan. This shade is supposed to represent the colors that would be obtained by using natural dyes. The reds are usually more of an orange, and the blues and greens are usually quite pale.

MUTED or WEATHERED refers to tartan which is a shade between Modern and Ancient. This type of tartan is very modern, dating only from the early 1970s. The reds will appear to have a slight coral tone, the blues usually appear to be a grayish blue, and the greens usually appear to be slightly brown.

A lot of grooms who decide to wear a kilt for their wedding have Celtic roots, but not all of them do. Lately here at Kilt Rental USA, we have noticed that more & more grooms are donning kilts whether they have Celtic heritage or not. The modern day groom wants to break the conformity of the standard tuxedo & make a statement by wearing an authentic kilt outfit regardless of his heritage.

Quality formal kilts are far from the rugged, dusty, cotton plaid fabrics you will see at the Renaissance Festival. Nor are they anything similar to the casual, camouflage, synthetic/leather kilts that are gaining popularity. Traditional formal kilts are very fashionable and are in no danger of going out of style. You can be sure that 30 years from now you will look back on your kilted wedding photos & still appreciate the fashion statement you intended to make. This is one of the most solid, timeless outfits in the history of clothing.

In the past several years, British woolen mills have created a host of “universal” tartans that were specifically engineered for kilt rentals. These tartans have become very popular for two main reasons.

1 – The tartans can be worn by anyone, at any occasion, and anywhere.

2 – The color combinations are pleasing to the eye & can easily match wedding colors.

Scotland Forever, Irish National, Scottish National, & Pride of Wales are but a small percentage of “universal” tartans that we have in stock for rentals.

If purchasing a wedding kilt is in your budget, this can be a very impactful move that could benefit your great grandchildren. Scottish wool is known for its resilience and strength which means that a custom made kilt can last over long periods of time & still look brand new. I love it when a bride or groom tells me that they have an heirloom kilt in their family. Maybe it’s in a shadow box on the wall, or maybe it just got back from the dry cleaners, either way it’s an important part of that family & its significance will only grow as time passes. Kilts can be worn to all sorts of events, attending a wedding, corporate parties, outdoor festivals, etc. you will not regret investing in one.

Few things are more impressive than a groom & 10 guys decked out in bona fide Celtic kilts celebrating the union between man & wife. If you want to make a statement, one that many will remember for years to come, incorporate kilts in your “special day”.