Pipe Band Sporran Advise Needed From The Rabble, Please!

**PiperChick** · 7th February 17, 09:38 PM

Hello, everyone! Those of you who have been here for awhile might remember mynpet project - having an entire pipe band outfitted in kilts made of a custom woven tartan. The help here has been spot on and incredibly valuable. We went with fabric woven by Marton Mills with adaptations made on the recommendation of Rocky at USA Kilts, to make it a tartan that would look great made into a kilt. Rocky's crew made the kilts for us. He was wonderful to work with, and we're very happy with the result. Happily we're making the move up to Grade 4 with MWPBA this coming season, and will have our new kilts for our first Grade 4 comp.

I'm appealing to The Rabble yet again, because your advise thus far has been great. We're now on the hunt for sporrans. Either a black hunting or a black hunting with a cantle, and preferably petals over tassels. Leather would be great, but might be cost prohibitive. We're looking to spend $100- $125 each, though I might be able to nudge my way up just squeak more. Because they're for a full band, durability is a must. I've had my eye on the one that FMM wears with an engraved logo where the targe would be (I own one engraved with the Douglas crest and love it) but I have rather expensive taste, lol! What would you guys recommend?

And has anyone seen replacement pom poms for a Glen in alternate colors, by chance? There's a proper name for the wee tribbles, but I don't recall what it is. Thanks in advance, everyone!

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**EagleJCS** · 8th February 17, 04:46 PM

The Louisville Pipe Band wears a black 'hunting' sporran with a white metal cantle. This after years of a plain black day sporran with three tassels. I think we get them through PipersHut - see their economy sporran here. Plenty of room for most things. I pare down my wallet to the basics and utilize my waistcoat pockets for frequently accessed items (tuner, drone stoppers, earplugs, etc.). The 'peg' at the top of the cantle tends to come loose pretty easy, make sure you crank it down tight with a pair of pliers.

We also wear a blue toorie on our plain black Glengarries instead of the common red or black. Get a bag of pom poms (or mini pom poms) from any craft store, just about any color you want.

**PiperChick** · 8th February 17, 06:31 PM

John, that looks like a good option. Has your band found that those sporrans wear well?

Toorie! That's what the wee tribbles are called! The craft store - duh. I can't believe I didn't think of that!

**WalesLax** · 9th February 17, 08:10 AM

First, I love the tartan. Secondly, what band do you play for? I learned to pipe at the Chicago Academy of Piping and Drumming.

Rob

**PiperChick** · 9th February 17, 11:29 AM

Thanks, Rob! I was a hard sell on the orange. I usually gravitate towards much more muted tones, but once I saw it done with the shades we chose, it grew on me. The blue in it was my personal pick, and I'm really liking how it works with the blue shirt.

I'm with Dundee Scottish Pipe Band out of Dundee, IL. Are you with a band?

**Piobair** · 9th February 17, 03:16 PM

There are a couple of options to consider, depending on how many sporrans you want to get and the membership.

1. Hunting sporrans with metal cantles have become pretty popular in recent years. You could check in with bands who wear them and ask wear they sourced theirs or if any bands are selling them. Bob Dunsire forums are a good place to start looking, as are the various pipe band and used kit groups on FaceBook.

2. Pakistan loves to crank out this style of sporran. You can get them for around $50 or so, but you'll get what you pay for. The petals tend to be oddly shaped and the cantles aren't particularly well finished. Keep in mind that whenever you have metal and leather together, there's going to be wear. I'd also be a little wary of a sharp edge catching the apron of the kilt.

3. New York Metro wears custom sporrans (I think LA Scots also use the same manufacturer?). They're pretty easy to get in touch with through FB or their website.

4. Plain hunting sporrans might be a better fit. I know Scotia-Glenville sports them (and many look Pakistani) and they look good.

5. Keep in mind that you'll inevitably run into the new member who will need a uniform in a pinch, so getting a limited number of custom sporrans will make it hard to match with something readily available. I think hunting sporrans are pretty easy to get on short notice, so if you were short a few weeks before a parade or a competition, you'd be able to call Higgins or L&M or something and get sorted. Sailkot will obviously take a bit more time.

6. FMM gets their kit through RG Hardie.

**EagleJCS** · 9th February 17, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by PiperChick

Has your band found that those sporrans wear well?

I think we've had them for 5 or 6 years now. Most seem to be holding up pretty well. As I said, be careful with the knob at the top of the cantle, and don't overload them. The stitching holding the patch on the back for the sporran strap can come loose.

Also, be careful with the chain straps. The chain links and the clasps can both catch on the kilt fabric. Might think about either a clear nylon tubing to cover the chain links or just go to an all-leather strap.

Piobair's comment made me think about this one...
You might check to see where the PipersHut sources their sporrans. If their economy version is sourced from a different place than their next level up sporran, maybe you could get a group discount on the next level up sporran. Just a thought ...

**WalesLax** · 9th February 17, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by PiperChick

Thanks, Rob! I was a hard sell on the orange. I usually gravitate towards much more muted tones, but once I saw it done with the shades we chose, it grew on me. The blue in it was my personal pick, and I'm really liking how it works with the blue shirt.

I'm with Dundee Scottish Pipe Band out of Dundee, IL. Are you with a band?

When I'm in Chicago, I play with City of Chicago, and when I am in NY, I play with Saffron United.

Rob

**GrainReaper** · 13th February 17, 04:45 AM

@PiperChick that's a great looking tartan! I was wondering where you'd disappeared to, the rabble has been trying to get you out for kilt nights a few times now, guess you've been busy with tartan design, kilt manufacture, etc...

When is your next gig? Aren't you usually in the Dundee parade coming up? My wife, son, and I always go weather permitting!

**PiperChick** · 13th February 17, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by GrainReaper

@PiperChick that's a great looking tartan! I was wondering where you'd disappeared to, the rabble has been trying to get you out for kilt nights a few times now, guess you've been busy with tartan design, kilt manufacture, etc...

When is your next gig? Aren't you usually in the Dundee parade coming up? My wife, son, and I always go weather permitting!

It's been a wild a wooly year, especially since Thanksgiving. I work every weekend ( except for those I take vacation for) , have one young one at home ( also a piper), care for my grandkids daily after school, ( and my oldest grandchild is a pipe student now too!) and have recently become involved with a second pipe band ( the second is non competitive). I'm afraid I'm rather hard to pin down! There isn't currently a single evening that I don't have dedicated already. Not an easy schedule sometimes, lol.

I'm not sure of our parade schedule, but I am trying to get time off for the Chicago games this year. If not sooner, I'll hopefully see you guys there.

I was a hard sell on orange for a tartan color - it was a preference of our pipe major and the majority of the band. But now that it's done, and I was able to have a say in the shades of color, it's grown on me. Our old kilts were in such a sad state of disrepair, and were far too like those worn by The Chicago Highlanders, that I'm really excited to wear them this year!