Rebecca Scarlett is smoothing metres of deep green and navy tartan across her workbench, and watched by her tutor, begins to construct a kilt.

The material is measured and straightened, the 25-year-old's nimble fingers intertwined between the heavy fabric. A flick of the wrist is all it takes for the tartan to concertina into neat folds, ready for Rebecca to tackle with a needle and thread.

For the past two years, she has been studying every aspect of kilt making from the best teacher she could wish for; her own mother.

Beverley Scarlett has been making kilts by hand for the past 15 years, and when her daughter asked to learn how to create the traditional Scottish garments, the 64-year-old not only agreed, but helped to set up a national qualification in the skill.

"I didn't agree to take her on board right away, just to make sure she was certain about what she was going to do," Beverley explains.

"Kilt making is a commitment, especially handsewn kilts. I think I was probably harder with her, I did make her work pretty hard and take things out more perhaps because that's what I expect from her.

"But I am very, very proud of her."

Working alongside the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), she helped to develop the SVQ Kilt Making course, similar to a modern apprenticeship, made up of six compulsory components and two optional units, including the choice of learning the skill by machine or by hand.

"I wanted to have the traditional kilt making back out there," Rebecca explains.

"It did take a lot of hard work, there have been days where I've cried and thought, 'I can't do it', but from the support from [my mother], it's been an amazing effort and I would not go back."

While the classes with her mother saw Rebecca learn how to make kilts both with a machine and with a needle and thread, in the end she decided to choose pin cushions and thimbles over electric pedals.

Having now completed her course, Beverley explains that her daughter attaining a recognisable qualification was important to her, helping the industry in the process in the hopes of safeguarding its future.

"I think the qualification gives it a benchmark [and] that it is recognised.

"It's important that we pass these skills on. We're all getting very old now and looking to retire and it's important that young people come in and take this opportunity. It's a wonderful skill and it's a wonderful occupation."

Now running family business Scarlett Kilts from their hometown of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Rebecca has already been passing on her new skills to the next generation of kilt makers in the family, with her young daughter already showing an interest in the craft.

"She's already started, she gets cut up materials and sews and is quite happy to join us," Rebecca says.

"Along with being a vet, she wants to be a kilt maker too so I think she's going to have a busy life when she gets bigger."

With her fledgling business beginning to take off, Rebecca has become accustomed to the stories that are attached to every kilt she makes or alters.

Rebecca explains: "Everybody wants a kilt that is memorable to them. If it's for a wedding, some have come from being in the war and wanted to carry on the tartan that they had then.

"It's definitely sentimental, every single kilt, there is always a story to go with it."

Beverley agrees: "Even in family, where families hand down great grandfathers' kilts we can alter some of those kilts to fit grandsons. It's just wonderful to think that it's part of a family's history."

Rebecca adds: "It has been amazing to have the chance to make every kilt different in their own unique bespoke way. I think that's what kilt making should be.

"Although there is sewing, time and effort goes into it, the bigger picture in itself is the uniqueness of having this eight metres of material become this fabulous outfit."