One of Western Canada’s few custom kilt stores, The Scottish Shoppe sells traditional made-to-order kilts and offers kilt-fitting and tailoring services. Its clientele is typically hose of Scottish descent, but this certainly isn’t a prerequisite. “You’ll find that people are fed up with wearing tuxes,” says owner Jim Osborne, who operates the store alongside his son James and other family members. “The nice thing about a kilt is that it’ll last you forever, and it never goes out of fashion.” The shop has also fitted celebrities including Sam Elliott, Chevy Chase, Metis actor-singer, Tom Jackson and more.
Jim assumed ownership of The Scottish Shoppe in 1976 after moving to Calgary from Aberdeen, Scotland, and he became heavily involved in the Scottish community. Aside from kilts, the shop is also packed full of other Scottish apparel, Highland music and confectionary items as well as British and Irish imported food items.