1860s sporrans: Highlanders of Scotland

[OC Richard]

There are many old-fashioned aspects to the uniform of The Atholl Highlanders, the sporran cantle design (note that it has the same height-to-width ratio as the mid-19th century examples) , the crossbelt and waistbelt sheetmetal hardware (not cast metal like 20th century ones usually are) and the pointed cuffs. These things are all seen in The Highlanders of Scotland.

What's strange though is the big bows floating on the outside of the hose turnover cuffs, evidently not attached to any garters.

In old images the garters are tied over the tops of the cuffs.

[saxandpipes]

Good to hear Michael!

Will your bespoke sporran going to be along the lines of MacLeay's subjects? I designed a horse hair sporran (based off of one worn by one of MacLeay's Highland sitters, Lachlan Macpherson of Strathmashie), to be worn with my Highland evening attire, a couple of years ago with L&M Highland Outfitters, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and they did an absolutely perfect job! Naturally, they are know for creating top-notch sporrans of alll sorts, which was one of the main reasons I decided to pursue them for my bespoke horse hair sporran.

Mine consists of a white horse hair body, 18" in length, with 6 short, black horse hair tassels. The cantle and cones are of silver, with embossed thistles. The cantle itself has a black patent leather center, with a silver thistle positioned appropriately. At some point, I plan to remove the thistle, and replace it with my "Guardian of the Clan Macpherson" badge, done in silver as well. I do love the sporran, however, I am much more fond of the overall 'look' that goat hair provides, versus the horse hair.

I look forward to seeing photos of your bespoke sporran, and please keep us posted on its progress - it's an exciting process!

Lachlan Macpherson of Strahmashie (aka Lachlan Mor, Champion of Scotland), on 'our' left, painted by Kenneth MacLeay, RSA.


My L&M bespoke horse hair sporran (Note - Cluny's Victorian era goat hair sporran in the first photo - quite lovely!).





Guardian of the Clan Macpherson silver badge


Piper, Atholl Highlanders - note the similarities between his sporran and mine.


Slainte,

What a sporran on the Atholl Highlanders piper!

Your own sporran is lovely. I am trying for something which I intend to use for both evening and smart day-wear, as in MY SPORRAN. (full-stop). Much like what I would have done, had I managed to win the auction on this beauty!:


In fact, this is not the sporran itself, but is identical excepting the tassles. (The image has already been removed from the auction site).

Much in the same way that McLeay shows people in day dress with what we would normally nowadays consider "evening only" sporrans, I would rather like to be (at least if I'm breaking all the rules) considered a little bit of an individual in my Highland dress, not unlike the great John D. Burgess. Now if only I could play like the man! ;)

Cheers!

Michael

[creagdhubh]

Thanks for posting these magnificient specimens Richard, they are all truly works of art! I love these style of sporrans - both the Victorian style horse and goat hair sporrans with simple to elaborate cantles and cones, to the rustic look of the animal mask sporrans.

I have noticed that the long (around 18" in length) goat hair sporrans have a much better look than their horse hair counterparts - a more, 'wavy/flowing' look to them, versus the 'straightness' or rigidity of horse hair. Kate Macpherson of Perthshire makes Victorian style sporrans in goat or horse hair with simple silver or brass cantles and cones. Of course, you could supply her with your own cantle and cones (if you wanted tassels, as you can see from MacLeay's sitters above, some Highlander's sporrans were tasselless) and she would simply add your choice of goat hair colour.

I am curious if there are other places out there that produce traditional goat hair sporrans? I am speaking of the longer hair versions, not the short, stout versions that are about half the length (sometimess less) of an 18" Victorian style goat hair sporran. I am very keen on having a goat hair sporran made to be used with my Highland evening attire. Kate Macpherson in Pethshire, Scotland is naturally my first choice of sporran maker, but I am indeed curious if there are other Scottish-based firms, or companies out there.

White Chinese goat hair sporran with plain silver cantle, by Kate Macpherson.


White Chinese goat hair sporran with thistle embossed cantle, by Kate Macpherson.


***Notice the rather smart Macpherson Hunting tartan with each sporran - very nice!

Thanks again Richard!

Cheers,

[NorCalPiper]

I'll chime in here. There is a big difference in construction of sporrans using horse hair vs. Goat. The hair that Kate is using is actually a pelt. I'ts actually somewhat deceptive as the hair is not really more than 10 inches long. As it mats on the pelt, it gives the illusion that the hair is really long. Horse hair is cut at lengths up to 40 inches and is sewn in layers on a panel then attached to a sporran front panel and trimmed to around 20 inches.
Goat hair is really gives a pleasing aesthetic to sporrans and I love Kate's version. Side note-When I work with this kind of Goat pelt, I have to wear a protective mask and glasses because the fibers are so fine, that they begin to become airborn and will lodge in your nasel passages and get into your eyes!

[Jack Daw]

I want them all!

[OC Richard]

BTW there's an Atholl Highlander illustrated in The Highlanders Of Scotland.

His kit is much like the modern Atholl Highlander piper seen above, but the jacket facings are white, his sporran has a plain black leather cantle, his hose are plain brown, and he wears ordinary flashes.

I find it interesting when I come across sporran designs which I had hitherto only known from The Highlanders Of Scotland.

Just yesterday I came across this publicity shot of a mid-20th century piper wearing a sporran the cantle of which is somewhat similar to one seen in The Highlanders Of Scotland, having the sides drooping lower than one usually sees:





That piper's waistbelt and crossbelt hardware are made of sheet metal like the Victorian ones were, not cast like 20th century ones.

[creagdhubh]

BTW there's an Atholl Highlander illustrated in The Highlanders Of Scotland.

His kit is much like the modern Atholl Highlander piper seen above, but the jacket facings are white, his sporran has a plain black leather cantle, his hose are plain brown, and he wears ordinary flashes.

I find it interesting when I come across sporran designs which I had hitherto only known from The Highlanders Of Scotland.

Just yesterday I came across this publicity shot of a mid-20th century piper wearing a sporran the cantle of which is somewhat similar to one seen in The Highlanders Of Scotland, having the sides drooping lower than one usually sees:





That piper's waistbelt and crossbelt hardware are made of sheet metal like the Victorian ones were, not cast like 20th century ones.

Yes, that Atholl Highlander was Donald MacBeath often known as "the Father of the Highlanders" - he also adorns the label of Old Jock, which is a wonderfuly delicious Scottish style Ale, brewed and bottled by Broughton Ales Limited in the Scottish Borders. Personally, I don't care for the 'sheet metal' look of the buckles and sporran cantle - too thin in my opinion.

The sign at Blair Atholl, featuring the famous Atholl Highlander.


Old Jock bottle label.


Yours aye,

[creagdhubh]

I want them all!

Me too!!!

[saxandpipes]

Me too!!!

Yes,

me too!

[creagdhubh]

Michael,

You did in fact win that sporran?!! Congrats mate!!! I recall you telling me about it not too long ago. I am sooo jealous now, hahahaha! I agree with you in regards to having your own 'individuality' and 'uniqueness' in your own Highland attire, and I couldn't think of a better example than of the late, great P/M Burgess, what a man he was!

Cheers,