A revisit to the Hair Sporran, perhaps to the wedding

[Ancienne Alliance]

Here is our own Matt Newsome leading the way...



a perfect look for non piping gentlemen !


Best,

Robert

[McFarkus]

I like the look of the hair sporrans, but most of the ones I've seen have a small place where one can put some cash and that's about it. Anyone know of a hair sporran that will actually hold, for instance, a wallet, keys and a phone at the minimum?

[davidlpope]

Anyone know of a hair sporran that will actually hold, for instance, a wallet, keys and a phone at the minimum?

I think that Skye Highland Outfitters (NorCalPiper's business) makes exactly such a beast...

http://www.skyehighlandoutfitters.co..._Sporrans.html

[Ancienne Alliance]

I think that Skye Highland Outfitters (NorCalPiper's business) makes exactly such a beast...

http://www.skyehighlandoutfitters.co..._Sporrans.html

yep !

[NorCalPiper]

I'll be brief-
All our sporrans have the functional pouch, not the useless back flap that will hold...well....nothing!

[MacLowlife]

You got it right. If she likes it, it is a great idea. The fact that you like it too is even better. Unlike her wedding outfit, which probably will cost a lot and never be worn again, yours will be infinitely reusable. Go ahead, put some of that wedding budget into a nice sporran and maybe some patterned socks- I still think black socks with a kilt look like you forgot to put your trousers on.

And ABSOLUTELY, remember it is a big day, but it is only a day- the good part comes afterwards.

[longhuntr74]

I don't know if I have much of substance to add to this thread, other than to say I love the goat hair sporrans. The horsehair are nice too...but seem to be too cookie-cutter for my tastes. There's something about the goat hair that shuns all hints of commercially produced, foreign, pipeband...etc. They truly have that vintage, one of a kind, look in my eyes. Thanks for pointing out the Skye site...nice sporrans!!! I, too, have my eyes on one of the bottom two sporrans on the page...in goat or course!!

[OC Richard]

Anyone know of a hair sporran that will actually hold, for instance, a wallet, keys and a phone at the minimum?

Yes, the actual MOD horsehair sporrans issued to Other Ranks in the Highland regiments of the British Army from the 1980's until recently are simply one HUGE pouch. Yes the entire leather body opens up making a very roomy sporran.

You've probably seen these: they're on Ebay all the time, flooding the market because when the Royal Regiment of Scotland was established and all the individual regimental dress was done away with a couple years ago, all these sporrans were obsolete.

They're rather distinctive, having a plain curved chrome cantle. The horsehair doesn't extend as far as on traditional horsehair sporrans... traditional sporrans are around 18" long and these MOD ORs sporrans are only around 15" long.

They come in two body colours: white horsehair for The Black Watch and The Gordon Highlanders, black horsehair for The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and The Queens Own Highlanders. You'll often see the bodies, lacking tassels, on Ebay. Tassels were attached in various ways to suit the various regiments:
two long black tassels: Gordon Highlanders (until 1994)
five short black tassels: Black Watch
six short white tassels: Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
two long whiste tassels: Queens Own Highlanders (after 1994 The Highlanders)

[gasbag]

I have recently purchased an original "swinging six" horsehair sporran from a gent in the UK.
I intend to wear the sporran when i play pipes for my family. The six tassles represent to me my mother and her five sisters, the very reason i got into bagpipes and all things kilted in the first place.
I think it sits nicely with my Mcleod hunting tartan kilt, charcoal tweed breamar jacket and charcoal hose. I like it so much i may even wear out in the public arena and to other functions.
If it is or isnt the done thing in others eyes is not my concern, i wear what i want to wear because i like the way it looks.
My two cents worth.

[CMcG]

I have a white horsehair sporran, with thistle embossed silver-plated cantle, and three black tassels. It was inherited from my father and he wore it as a member of the Edmonton Boys Pipe Band in the 1950s.

I reserve it for very formal occasions because it seems rather over the top, especially to people outside the kilted community. The fact that it is so striking though, is what makes it a great accessory! And it's especially appropriate if your bride approves....