The Woollen Mill 179 High Street

[OC Richard]

I recently picked up this lot of sporrans on Ebay.

What's intriguing is that they're all new, and all had cord looped through the D-rings on the back. They appear to have been part of a wall display or something.

Except for the black fur one (Pakistani) and the "semi-dress" one they all have identical backs and are obviously by the same maker. Three have Made In Scotland stamped on the sides of the metal cantles. None are stamped on the back of the leather, but two have Made In Scotland stickers on the back.

Most curious is that one has a sticker on the back stating:

The Woollen Mill
EW3/K Grey
ILLUSTRATION 4
(pound sign) 129

There are many "woollen mills" in Scotland but the only one I see that's called simply The Woollen Mill is located at 179 High Street Edinburgh.

Are you familiar with this shop? I can't find any photos online showing a Highland Dress display, but I did see a Yelp review in which someone says they bought a kilt there.

Why would six of their ex-display sporrans end up in the hands of somebody in Texas? Why would the hanging cords never be removed, the sporrans never be worn?

(Top centre and right, and bottom right, have cantles stamped Made In Scotland. Top left is unmarked but obviously by the same maker.)