From Police Constable to Kilt Maker: My Story

Hi, I’m Claire. I’m the person behind Alba Kilts, and I wanted to share a bit about me, how I got here, and why kilt making has become such an important part of my life.

I’ve been hesitant to share my story — it’s not something I ever really planned to do. But I don’t want Alba Kilts to be a faceless brand. My vision has always been to create kilts of the highest quality I can, and I want my customers to know exactly who is making their kilt. I hope the brand feels relatable because, for me, every kilt I make represents how far I’ve come. Seeing someone wear a kilt I’ve made reflects the hard work I’ve put in to get to where I am now. It’s something I can be proud of, both as a reflection of my Scottish heritage and as a piece of clothing my customers are proud to wear.

It’s not always easy talking about yourself, but I think stories can connect us. My story is a bit of a rollercoaster, so here goes!

A Dream Career (At First)

I grew up in the Scottish Borders but now live in East Lothian with my husband and our lively 8-year-old daughter (who definitely keeps me on my toes!). Back in 2007, I achieved a lifelong dream and joined Lothian and Borders Police as a Police Constable.

I’ll never forget the pride I felt putting on that uniform for the first time. It was hard getting through all the physical and mental tests, but it was worth every bit of effort. Policing was everything I thought it would be—challenging, rewarding, and exciting.

Eventually, I joined the Roads Policing department and passed the Advanced Driving course. That meant I was qualified as a tactical pursuit driver, which sounds very dramatic (and sometimes was!). It was a dream come true.

But life changes. After my daughter was born, the long shifts and emotional ups and downs started to take their toll. I wanted more control over my life, so I made the difficult decision to leave the Police. I retrained as a driving instructor, started my own business, and things were going well... until the world shut down. COVID restrictions stopped driving lessons, so overnight my business came to a halt.

The Day That Changed Everything

Then, in November 2020, during the time of ongoing COVID restrictions, I went out for what I thought would be a normal ride on a horse called Boots. I loved horse riding; it was my escape. There’s nothing like being out in the countryside to clear your head.

But that day didn’t go to plan. I don’t remember much — actually, I don’t remember anything — but I’ve been told I fell from the horse and was found by a stranger at the edge of a field. They used my phone to call my husband, who was working from home.

When my husband picked up, it wasn’t me on the other end. It was a stranger explaining that I’d had an accident and an ambulance was on its way. He rushed to the farm (with help from his dad) and found me with the paramedics. I was sitting at the side of the field, crying, confused, and apologising for being a bother. I had no idea what had happened.

The ambulance crew got me to the hospital quickly, and that’s when things got serious. I’d suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage — a rare and dangerous type of stroke — as well as a fractured skull and traumatic brain injury. The doctors later told me it was touch and go for a while.

Because of the lockdown, I had to go through it all alone in the hospital. No visits, no hugs from my family — just 13 long days trying to process what had happened.

When I finally got home, life was completely different. I couldn’t walk properly and had to use walking aids with my husband’s help. I struggled to find words when speaking, and even short conversations left me exhausted. Worst of all, my driving licence was revoked, which meant my career as a driving instructor was essentially over.

To say I felt lost would be an understatement. My injuries were such that I couldn’t even leave the house myself, and with my ongoing symptoms, I had no idea what I’d do for work going forward. Everything I had built up felt like it had disappeared overnight, and I was left wondering what the future could possibly look like.

A New Path

For a long time, I wasn’t sure what to do. Everything I’d worked for was gone. Then, at the start of 2023, I saw an advert for a kilt-making course. I’ve no idea why it caught my eye — maybe it was the thought of doing something creative — but it stuck with me.

I’d never sewn before (cross-stitch doesn’t count, does it?), and I nearly talked myself out of it. The days might be too long. I might not pick it up quickly enough. The self-doubt was strong!

Thankfully, my husband convinced me to give it a go, and I’m so glad he did. From the first day, I knew I’d found something special. I discovered a real knack for kilt making — something I never expected!

By the end of the course, I’d been invited to join ScotClans as a trainee kiltmaker. That was such a huge boost to my confidence after everything I’d been through!

Why I Love What I Do

Kilt making has completely changed my life. It’s given me a purpose again and a connection to something much bigger — our Scottish heritage. Traditional kilt making is an endangered heritage craft, and by continuing the tradition, I’m helping to keep the craft alive. It’s important to me that this skill, with all its history and meaning, isn’t lost, and I’m proud to play a part in its survival.

I love that every kilt is different. Each one has its own tartan, its own pleating style, and its own little quirks. I get so much satisfaction from turning a length of tartan into a piece of wearable history.

And I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I’ll admit I’m obsessive about every single stitch. If you order a kilt from me, you can be sure it’s been made with care, attention, and probably a lot of tea breaks!

The Heart of Alba Kilts

Starting Alba Kilts has been a way for me to turn something difficult into something meaningful. I’m proud to carry on the tradition of kilt making, especially as it’s an endangered craft.

When you buy one of my kilts, you’re not just getting a piece of clothing — you’re getting a piece of history made with love and care.

A Final Thought

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life doesn’t always go the way you planned. But even when things feel impossible, there’s a way forward — you just have to find it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope it inspires you to keep going, no matter what life throws at you.

Claire