The bulk of an order to make clothing for the new Royal Regiment of Scotland has gone south of the border.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded contracts worth £3.2 million to companies in Leeds and Birmingham to produce traditional Scottish clothing, after a tendering process that started last year.

Turner Virr, based in Leeds, won the biggest contract, with a £1.7 million order to supply 5,000 pairs of trews, as well as other items, such as socks, spats and jackets.

The MoD also awarded a £1.4 million contract to Ammo & Co, based in Birmingham, to supply 5,000 horsehair sporrans.

Orders worth about £1.4 million to supply kilts to the Royal Regiment, stayed in Scotland. Glenisla Kilts, based in Motherwell, won the majority of the contract, with a £1.2 million deal to manufacture 5,000 kilts over four years. The West Dunbartonshire-based Argyll Bagpipes and Kilts will supply kilts and accessories to pipers, and to regiments such as the Scots Guards, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Royal Irish.

Both Scottish companies said that their kilt orders would be made in Scotland, from Scottish materials.

“This is good news for Scottish manufacturing and the Scottish economy, the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the MoD,” Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister, said. “We are all winners here.”

There had been speculation that the order could go overseas after the MoD opened up tendering to foreign companies, in line with European Union regulations.

The new regiment was formed last year from six historic units — the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Black Watch, the Highlanders, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the Royal Scots.

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