How to recognise a quality sporran?

**Màrtainn** · 19th June 13, 09:12 PM

In September I'll be going to Glasgow, and while I'm there, I'll be visiting some thrift/vintage shops hoping to find a nice kilt jacket and possibly a nice dress sporran.
But how do I recognise a quality sporran?

When I see sporrans online, to me £250 sporrans don't look different from £25 sporrans… So if I can actually inspect a sporran, how can I tell it's a quality sporran or not?
The thickness of the leather parts?
The kind of stitching?
The absence or presence of makers' marks?
Any makers I should keep my eyes open for?
Does "Made in Scotland" have any value at all?

**Jock Scot** · 19th June 13, 11:08 PM

If you are in Glasgow then you are in the home of one of the best sporran makers of the present day, Mcrostie. I think that they only make day sporrans, but the quality of their workmanship, and the materials that they use stand head and shoulders above any of the rest that I have seen. Google, mcrostie leather glasgow. I have owned and worn many sporrans over the last 70 years and have only ever bought one , a mcrostie, some 30 years ago and have not regretted the purchase once. These days it is the only sporran that I wear and to all, even formal, events.

**TheOfficialBren** · 19th June 13, 11:37 PM

Gracious me! Mcrostie has some fine leathers indeed!

**Lime** · 20th June 13, 01:19 AM

I can't really give you much good advice on how to tell a good quality sporran other than pick it up, feel the quality of the leather and fittings and look at the craftsmanship.

I've never been "lucky" in any of the Charity shops in the centre: the only kilt related paraphernalia I've seen have has been in the (much better) charity shops and various vintage shops in the West End. Just hop on the clockwork orange and get off a few minutes later at Hillhead and spend a pleasant half day biffing up and down Byres road and follow your nose to the various vintage places that don't look like much from the outside but are cavernous on the inside.

If you have time and the transport the Antiques centre at Loch Lomond Shores http://www.lochlomondantiques.co.uk/ is well worth a look for all the gubbins (clan badges, brooches, kilt pins, buttons, cantles etc.). I spotted an MOD brass cantle there earlier in the year.

**Phil** · 20th June 13, 04:04 AM

I would agree with Lime in that I have only once seen any kilt-related item in a charity/thrift shop and that was in St. Andrews a few years ago. Again Byres Road area might be your best chance in the vintage clothing shops there. Failing that, Armstrongs here in Edinburgh always have a stock of used highlandwear. One tip though - avoid any of the tartan tat shops as their sporrans look and feel like they're made of cardboard.

**tulloch** · 20th June 13, 05:01 AM

I agree completely with Jock and again express my gratitude for the tip. I have had my Mcrostie for several years. If you divide the cost by the number of years you will have it then it is a very thrifty investment.

**creagdhubh** · 20th June 13, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If you are in Glasgow then you are in the home of one of the best sporran makers of the present day, Mcrostie. I think that they only make day sporrans, but the quality of their workmanship, and the materials that they use stand head and shoulders above any of the rest that I have seen. Google, mcrostie leather glasgow. I have owned and worn many sporrans over the last 70 years and have only ever bought one , a mcrostie, some 30 years ago and have not regretted the purchase once. These days it is the only sporran that I wear and to all, even formal, events.

I completely agree with Jock. The only leather daywear sporrans and sporran straps I presently own and wear are from McRostie. In my opinion, they are the best (made of rich and supple, bridle leather in a variety of colours from a deep, Havana brown to a classic Conker). Stop by and have a chat with Colin and Kareen Campbell, they are a delight to work with. McRostie can do bespoke work as well.

http://www.mcrostie.co.uk/

McRostie of Glasgow Ltd
The Harness Room, Bowfield, Howwood,
Johnstone, PA9 1DB, Scotland
Tel. +44 (0)1505 705030

Enjoy Glasgow,

**Màrtainn** · 20th June 13, 05:51 AM

Noted: McRostie. :-) I'll keep my eyes open for that name on any of the sporrans I'll see. I wasn't really planning on buying a new day sporran, but their products look indeed nice, I'll keep them in mind when I've worn out my cheap ones! :-)
Indeed I have some vintage shops in the West End/Byres Road area on my list, although I'll be passing by some of the kilt shops in the centre (MacGregor MacDuff, Hector Russell Kiltmaker, Geoffrey Taylor) to see if they have some nice ex-hire stuff (mainly for jackets). "Mr. Ben" in the centre has kilts listed as something they have, so I guess they might have sporrans as well.
The only kilt jacket I currently own, I found at Armstrong's in Edinburgh, they indeed have a nice rack of highlandwear in each of their stores! I'm not planning a day trip to Edinburgh however, so I hope to find some similar shops in Glasgow.
Loch Lomond Antiques is a bit far for something that's not even a sure hit, but maybe I can combine it with a distillery visit nearby? :-)

BTW Is a closure as pictured here a sign of quality, or just a sign of age? :-)
closure.jpg

**artificer** · 20th June 13, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Màrtainn

Noted: McRostie. :-) I'll keep my eyes open for that name on any of the sporrans I'll see. I wasn't really planning on buying a new day sporran, but their products look indeed nice, I'll keep them in mind when I've worn out my cheap ones! :-)
Indeed I have some vintage shops in the West End/Byres Road area on my list, although I'll be passing by some of the kilt shops in the centre (MacGregor MacDuff, Hector Russell Kiltmaker, Geoffrey Taylor) to see if they have some nice ex-hire stuff (mainly for jackets). "Mr. Ben" in the centre has kilts listed as something they have, so I guess they might have sporrans as well.
The only kilt jacket I currently own, I found at Armstrong's in Edinburgh, they indeed have a nice rack of highlandwear in each of their stores! I'm not planning a day trip to Edinburgh however, so I hope to find some similar shops in Glasgow.
Loch Lomond Antiques is a bit far for something that's not even a sure hit, but maybe I can combine it with a distillery visit nearby? :-)

BTW Is a closure as pictured here a sign of quality, or just a sign of age? :-)
closure.jpg

I'd say it's a bit of both.

Looking at the piece it does look older, and the graining of the leather shows it to be nicer than some of the overly surface-coated leathers that are frequently used. It has a very nice natural grain and transparent colour very reminiscent of Morocco/goatskin/bookbinding leather.

For me, there are several signs that a sporran is well made.

1) (if possible) feel the leather, it should feel firm but not like plastic
2) look at the stitching - is it evenly spaced, straight, and of uniform tension (no super-tight pull-throughs, no loose threads)
3) is a bit more difficult, but look at the overall proportions - things like the spacing of tassels, the width and treament of trim, ratio of height to width.

ith:

**Orionson** · 21st June 13, 03:05 PM

You'll enjoy your rake round the West End shops. Having lived in Glasgow for the last 7 years, I think your best bet will be Mr. Ben's Vintage Clothing just off the Bridgegate in the Merchant City. You may also like to try the Glasgow City Antique Centre @ 121-127 Lancefield Street down by the River Clyde. It is an enormous warehouse with over 50 vendors with an eclectic range of good quality (but reasonably priced) antiques including some vintage Highland attire. It will be hit or miss though wherever you go because none of these places specialise in what you are looking for.

Another Antique warehouse worth a look in is the Scottish Antique & Arts Centre in Doune, West of Stirling on the A84 road to Callander. The quality there is very high (prices, too - but sometimes one can get very lucky there).

Happy hunting!