Sealskin ban hurts Scottish sporran makers

[imrichmond]

Here's an interesting article in today's Scotsman newspaper about the effect of the EU's ban on sealskins on Scottish sporran makers. It appears that the ban is giving a significant edge to Pakistani manufacturers of highland dress.

http://www.scotsman.com/business/man...orts-1-2920646

[artificer]

I honestly don't think the seal skin ban is the big issue here.

These firms have worked on the "Business as usual" model for the last ~100 years. They are now facing competition from cheap imports and they are losing.

As I understood it all existing seal skin products were to be grandfathered in (especially since they can still get Inuit-hunted sealskins), so the whole 'you'll need a license for your sealskin sporran' scare was a red herring.

The horsehair situation is also odd, given that the US doesn't have a tradition of "eating horses" and yet I can buy dozens of pounds of domestic horsehair at the click of the mouse.
(also the 1994 article below says that Mr. Scott gets his horsehair from China and Paraguay so the horsemeat scare on the continent shouldn't really be an issue).

BTW: This whole situation has been an issue for a lot longer than this article (and the ban on sealskin) would have you believe.

Here's a film shot in 2009 (the year the ban was passed but a year before it went into effect) with Mr. Scott which illustrates his issues he was already having

http://www.scottishdocinstitute.com/...porran-makers/

As well as an article from 2003 saying basically the same thing.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottis...rans-1-1295409

It's very interesting to contrast the above 2003 article with the one below from 1994:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/...t-all-1.721112


In the end, the sporran (and greater Highland wear) industry is a microcosm of how global trade works. Eventually you have to deal with cheaper imports.
I believe that the only way to do so is to offer the other two variables in the "Price, Quality, Service" equation.

You will NEVER be the cheapest as long as companies are willing to pay their overseas workers pennies per day and use inferior material.

You CAN provide better service (in the form of actual sales people or customization/bespoke work) and much better quality.

In the end, people get what they pay for. Hopefully after buying the cheapo-badly tanned $40 'fuzzy bunny' and having it start shedding all over the place in a
few short years they learn a lesson and invest in quality to last.

ith:

[BCAC]

I can honestly state that I will never, repeat NEVER, knowingly buy foreign made imported items of Highland Wear and accessories (except for my kilts which will be foreign made (in England by Paul Henry) with scottish woven wool fabric). Despite the obvious "work for people at home" angle there is also the quality side to look at. If I can't afford it now, I will save until I can.

[creagdhubh]

I can honestly state that I will never, repeat NEVER, knowingly buy foreign made imported items of Highland Wear and accessories (except for my kilts which will be foreign made (in England by Paul Henry) with scottish woven wool fabric). Despite the obvious "work for people at home" angle there is also the quality side to look at. If I can't afford it now, I will save until I can.

Precisely. Well said.

And well said too, Scott.

[Riverkilt]

Betcha the seals are happy about this.

[Nathan]

I can honestly state that I will never, repeat NEVER, knowingly buy foreign made imported items of Highland Wear and accessories (except for my kilts which will be foreign made (in England by Paul Henry) with scottish woven wool fabric). Despite the obvious "work for people at home" angle there is also the quality side to look at. If I can't afford it now, I will save until I can.

I have and will continue to happily buy some attire from non-Scottish boutique manufacturers. Artificer makes gorgeous sporrans in the US, L & M makes lovely seal sporrans in Nova Scotia and there are many North American kilt makers on this board who do fine work. My day sgian dubh is from Sheffield, England and has the best blade I've seen.

It's certainly laudible to support Scottish mills and manufacturers but you can't equate "Made in Scotland" with quality anymore. You still need to do your homework as there are now firms in Scotland that make every level of price-point and quality.

Some firms that are headquartered in Scotland are owned by foreign interests as well (as is the case with Single Malt Whiskey) so the reputation of the company and the quality of the items is the biggest factor for me.

[creagdhubh]

I have and will continue to happily buy some attire from non-Scottish boutique manufacturers. Artificer makes gorgeous sporrans in the US, L & M makes lovely seal sporrans in Nova Scotia and there are many North American kilt makers on this board who do fine work. My day sgian dubh is from Sheffield, England and has the best blade I've seen.

It's certainly laudible to support Scottish mills and manufacturers but you can't equate "Made in Scotland" with quality anymore. You still need to do your homework as there are now firms in Scotland that make every level of price-point and quality.

Some firms that are headquartered in Scotland are owned by foreign interests as well (as is the case with Single Malt Whiskey) so the reputation of the company and the quality of the items is the biggest factor for me.

Though I am not entirely sure, BCAC may have been referring to certain items that are made in the far east or in Pakistan, yet I don't wish to put words in his mouth. If that is the case (and that is how it sounded to me), then yes, I do agree with him, but I also agree with your point(s), Nathan. I have owned several sporrans, one bespoke one, that were made by L&M out of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and the craftsmanship and quality were superb. They have since been sold off, but not because of they were lacking in beauty or quality, rather because my style and preferences were moving in a different direction. My latest kilt, and best one I have ever owned (even beating out my Kinloch Anderson-made kilts), was made by our own resident kilt-maker Barb Tewksbury, who resides in New York.

Whereas the majority of my Highland wardrobe does in fact come from Scotland; made by highly-trained, gifted and professional artisans (for me - Robert Mackie, McRostie's of Glasgow, Kinloch Anderson, Ian Grant of Edinburgh, House of Bruar, House of Cheviot, D.C. Dalgliesh, House of Edgar, Comrie Crafts, Kate Macpherson Sporrans, Hamilton & Inches, Garth Duncan, Roddy Young, etc...) I have not completely limited myself to purchasing everything regarding Highland attire from Scotland (or the UK in general), but I do generally strive to do so. This is also where critical research, word of mouth, and the advice/suggestions of others, such as the rabble her eon XMTS, comes into play and is usually an invaluable resource. Well, that's at least how I feel about it. I think your point in the concluding sentence hits the nail on the head and is a deciding factor for me as well.

Cheers,

[TheOfficialBren]

My kilt is American-made (from UK woven material). My sporran was made in the US. I am not a stickler for place-of-origin...I am a stickler for good quality. If it means NOT buying Scottish then it doesn't bother me in the least. On the other hand I do own some highland wear that IS from Scotland.

I will buy from pretty much anywhere as long as the quality of their goods is high. I do my homework and research before I buy. I seldom have buyers remorse.

[BCAC]

Though I am not entirely sure, BCAC may have been referring to certain items that are made in the far east or in Pakistan, yet I don't wish to put words in his mouth. If that is the case (and that is how it sounded to me), then yes, I do agree with him, but I also agree with your point(s), Nathan. I have owned several sporrans, one bespoke one, that were made by L&M out of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and the craftsmanship and quality were superb. They have since been sold off, but not because of they were lacking in beauty or quality, rather because my style and preferences were moving in a different direction. My latest kilt, and best one I have ever owned (even beating out my Kinloch Anderson-made kilts), was made by our own resident kilt-maker Barb Tewksbury, who resides in New York.

Whereas the majority of my Highland wardrobe does in fact come from Scotland; made by highly-trained, gifted and professional artisans (for me - Robert Mackie, McRostie's of Glasgow, Kinloch Anderson, Ian Grant of Edinburgh, House of Bruar, House of Cheviot, D.C. Dalgliesh, House of Edgar, Comrie Crafts, Kate Macpherson Sporrans, Hamilton & Inches, Garth Duncan, Roddy Young, etc...) I have not completely limited myself to purchasing everything regarding Highland attire from Scotland (or the UK in general), but I do generally strive to do so. This is also where critical research, word of mouth, and the advice/suggestions of others, such as the rabble her eon XMTS, comes into play and is usually an invaluable resource. Well, that's at least how I feel about it. I think your point in the concluding sentence hits the nail on the head and is a deciding factor for me as well.

Cheers,

Yes, Kyle. You understood my meaning. Of course there are excellent artisans elsewhere (My kiltmaker, for instance), and I have bought two well made belts from the USA. First and foremost I look for quality when I'm buying and my search ALWAYS begins at home.

[creagdhubh]

Yes, Kyle. You understood my meaning. Of course there are excellent artisans elsewhere (My kiltmaker, for instance), and I have bought two well made belts from the USA. First and foremost I look for quality when I'm buying and my search ALWAYS begins at home.

Cheers!