let's look at vintage check tweed

[Father Bill]

The olfactory sense (smell) is thought in current psychological studies to be the sense that most brings back memories. It puts us back into a time and place quite instantly according to studies I've read of.

[Baeau]

Richard.....the third photo, in your opening post. Is that the subject of your "Interesting Eagle Sporran"?

[OC Richard]

Do you know who it is?

Attachment 34570

Yes, from Highland Bagpipe Makers by Jeannie Campbell:

"Archie McPhedran was born in Glasgow in 1885. His father, also known as Archie, was from Inveraray, and was a member of a well-known family of pipers who were related to John Ban MacKenzie.

Archie was Pipe Major of the 5th Highland Light Infantry and Pipe Major of the Glasgow Shepherds, both top bands of the time."

[OC Richard]

Who is this and/or where did you find the picture?

Attachment 34571

it's extremely interesting because of the kilt and sporran which are both pat of the uniform of the Glasgow Celtic Society from c1880. The eagle on the cantle is clear, as are the blox-pleats and one of the MacKenzie ribbons of the kilt.

Attachment 34572

Sorry I don't remember where I got that photo.

Is the sporran like this one, currently on Ebay?



We can see, comparing the Ebay sporran above to the one below, that the Ebay sporran seems to be rather dented or misshapen along the top rim of the cantle.

Also it's clear that the Ebay sporran is white with black tassels while the one in the vintage photo is brown/grey with white tassels, the former befitting Evening Dress, the latter befitting Day Dress.

I wonder if members could order any hair colour combination they preferred? Or order one interchangeable cantle with two bodies for Day and Evening?



Here's another one

[Jock Scot]

Sorry I don't remember where I got that photo.

Is the sporran like this one, currently on Ebay?



We can see, comparing the Ebay sporran above to the one below, that the Ebay sporran seems to be rather dented or misshapen along the top rim of the cantle.

Also it's clear that the Ebay sporran is white with black tassels while the one in the vintage photo is brown/grey with white tassels, the former befitting Evening Dress, the latter befitting Day Dress.

I wonder if members could order any hair colour combination they preferred? Or order one interchangeable cantle with two bodies for Day and Evening?



Here's another one

Just a thought. I wonder if the “eagle” on the sporran cantle is in fact a swan? The wings, the body, the legs particularly the thighs and particularly the neck, head and beak don’t look very “ eagle” like to my eye. Does it matter? Well in heraldry it may be significant and may point you in another direction.

[jumary]

Is there another bird of significance from Scotland during that time period? Something beside eagles or swans?

[figheadair]

Also it's clear that the Ebay sporran is white with black tassels while the one in the vintage photo is brown/grey with white tassels, the former befitting Evening Dress, the latter befitting Day Dress.

I wonder if members could order any hair colour combination they preferred? Or order one interchangeable cantle with two bodies for Day and Evening?

It's also possible, perhaps more likely, that the difference reflected the rank/position of the wearer in the organisation.

[Tobus]

Back to vintage check tweeds, here's another. Sir Iain Colquhoun. I wish the photo were larger, but it's the best I have.

[Jock Scot]

Is there another bird of significance from Scotland during that time period? Something beside eagles or swans?

Not in real life, but perhaps a dragon, with that wee tuft at the back of the head?

[MacKenzie]

The socks (hose?) in the second pic of the OP caught my eye. They appear to be your garden variety wool "hunting sock" that everyone wore before the days of polypropylene and other wicking fabrics.