Thoughts on sporrans

[Dall_Piobaire]

Though I do wear my kilt about on occasion, it is most specifically my piping attire.

I have been kicking around the idea of investing in a new sporran, and was torn between investing in a hair sporran, which, in my mind, covers me for traditional piping attire for weedings funerals and such, as well as formal events, though I am not much of a forum eventer as it were!

On the otherhand, there is the hunting sporran, on which I cannot, for the life of me, decide. They also seem to be quite cookie cutter and common these days. I see one I like, a month later I will see the same darn one sixty times. I always viewed the sporran as that little peice of a personal touch. It might, perhaps be more flexible than a hair sporran, but for a piper????

[davidlpope]

I think that finding one sporran that can do piping/daywear or piping/eveningwear is feasible but finding a sporran that will go piping/daywear/eveningwear is hard, unless you take Jack Lee's tack and wear a muskrat mask.

One that I've seen that may work is here:

http://www.landmhighland.com/default...ptyp=2&pid=40#

It's a nice looking sporran , and with the mottled badger fur, is less "dressy" than most sealskin sporrans. It also has the "hunting sporran" look, but I haven't seen many of this type being worn...

Best of Luck.

Cordially,

David

[Dall_Piobaire]

Thanks David, that is a smart looking sporran! I can't do the mask sporran, and am even questionable on the fur, though I have onsidered rabbit, badger, and muskrat. It just seemed as though the hair sporran was a commnon thread through most all traditional piping attire I have seen.

[Snowbear]

Hair sporrans are very nice, but for a allround sporran I really like seal skin. Since I hear rumors that you can't buy that, have you tought of a skunk sporran like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Full-Fur-Skunk-S...14072008r22737

I think it's nice looking for a lot of occations, and even quite original. At least something I have never seen many people wearing.

[bricelythgoe]

I like that one too! (could be because I made it though. I am a little biased.)

I was going to mention that you can not buy seal skin sporrans in U.S. However, there are lots of sporrans that you can buy that set you apart. There are lots of variations of horse hair sporrans that can change it just enough so it sets you apart. Just look around at places like Skye Highland Outfitters or Thorfinn Sporrans. They have lots of different kinds.

Brice

Hair sporrans are very nice, but for a allround sporran I really like seal skin. Since I hear rumors that you can't buy that, have you tought of a skunk sporran like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Full-Fur-Skunk-S...14072008r22737

I think it's nice looking for a lot of occations, and even quite original. At least something I have never seen many people wearing.

[Jack Daw]

Thanks David, that is a smart looking sporran! I can't do the mask sporran, and am even questionable on the fur, though I have onsidered rabbit, badger, and muskrat. It just seemed as though the hair sporran was a commnon thread through most all traditional piping attire I have seen.

Get an angora sporran. I just did, and intend to post pics within the next few days.

[Tim Little]

Many good things said around here about Ferguson Britt sporans; I'd think a nice FB fur sporran would suit you.

Matt Newsome sells via the STM gift shop:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/sporran_fb.html

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/..._fbgallery.htm

[longhuntr74]

Get an angora sporran. I just did, and intend to post pics within the next few days.

I will post full reviews when I get my hands on it and after using it, but I fully anticipate that the Angora Goat Hair Sporran (or as my wife has come to refer to it..."you're hairy goat purse") that Josh, at Skye Highland Outfitters, has made me will be beautiful, functional, and, as my wife has indicated from her discussions with Josh, a one of a kind piece. As such it will be a true family heirloom that I consider appropriate for day wear or formal wear and would be appropriate for piping too.

If you want variety, then, you could always buy a second cheaper day-wear sporran like a Buzz Kidder. I intend to make myself a deerskin rob-roy type or something akin to a Ferguson Brit since I'm a fair hand at creating leathergoods myself.

[Ancienne Alliance]

These are my favourites:
Look at the Gentleman horse hair sporran(bottom line). Ideal for civilian and piping:

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



Best,

Robert

[M. A. C. Newsome]

We carry the badger fur sporran from L&M that David linked to, so I've seen that one in person. I can verify that it is a very nice sporran, and because it incorporates the leather elements of a so-called "hunting sporran" style I think you could just get by with wearing this with an Argyle jacket for more formal daywear events.

I know what you mean about looking "cookie cutter" however. There seems to be a certain tendency towards this in modern day Scottish attire, which I really don't like. That's one of the reasons why I decided a while ago not to offer any "package outfit" deals in our gift shop. I know a lot of retailers have standard "daywear packages" or "eveningwear packages" where you buy everything together and get a discount. I don't like that, because I don't like the thought of people buying the exact same accessories for their outfit as everyone else. There is so much variety in Highland attire, I'd much rather have people select from that range just what they want to reflect their own personal tastes and style.

I think there is a greater tendency towards the "cookie-cutter" syndrome among pipers, especially. And I think that's largely because of the uniform factor. A lot of pipers are members of bands, of course, and so you wear the band sporran, you wear the band hose, the band jacket, etc. But even apart from that, when doing solo gigs, there is a tendency to have a certain "look" because it's part of the job. A lot of folks who hire pipers for an event are not just hiring you because of the music you play, but because of the overall appearance of the piper. They expect a piper to "look" a certain way, and so there is a tendency to cater to that.

In any case, back to your original question, I know you say you don't fancy mask sporrans but I feel that I must reccomend them as being ideally suited to the multiple scenarios you have mentioned.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/sporran_mask.html

My favorite is the badger mask, though any would work. The other option is to design your own!
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/...ns_custom.html