Full mask sporrans revisited...

[creagdhubh]

What is the year of print on that K-A book?

As Kyle rightly points out (he's so good at that!), there's plenty of proof in the proverbial pudding that full-mask sporrans are still very much in use in Scotland, and worn by many a distinguished fellow. It's possible that the writers at K-A were injecting personal opinions into their advertisements. And even if they truly believed this to be the case, they should be flogged for the poor business decision of advertising a product but telling people it's not a good idea to buy it.

Personally, I like full-mask sporrans when done tastefully. I approach them about the same as Scott, in terms of taste. I'm very picky about the shape and size of them. I've been trying to get one made (from various hides I have), but keep striking out for various reasons. But even if I didn't personally like them, it would still be on stylistic grounds, not based on any sort of anti-fur sentiment. I guess I'm not "civilised" enough to oppose using fur, as long as it's responsible and humane.

The book was published on St. Andrew's Day 2013. I too have a copy, and a while back, Nathan had brought to my attention that particular part of the book in regards to full mask sporrans. I obviously missed it as I initially skimmed through the pages when it first arrived. Whereas I am quite fond of Kinloch Anderson and their products, I completely disagree with the statement regarding full mask sporrans. Perhaps this was an area of the book that was overlooked, or simply the personal opinion of the author. Either way, the book itself is a wonderful read and exceptionally laid out.

[Nathan]

The book was published on St. Andrew's Day 2013. I too have a copy, and a while back, Nathan had brought to my attention that particular part of the book in regards to full mask sporrans. I obviously missed it as I initially skimmed through the pages when it first arrived. Whereas I am quite fond of Kinloch Anderson and their products, I completely disagree with the statement regarding full mask sporrans. Perhaps this was an area of the book that was overlooked, or simply the personal opinion of the author. Either way, the book itself is a wonderful read and exceptionally laid out.

I agree with Kyle that the book is excellent and well worth having.

There's no question that countless photos of people wearing them can be found. There are a fair number of photos of me wearing them floating about. That said, something can be traditional and then go out of style. This has largely happened with dirks, for example. That's what prompted my question and poll. I wanted to know how representative of the kilt population the view expressed in the book is, but then, I wonder how representative xmarks members are of the broader kilt wearing community at the same time.

So far on xmarks, there are a large number of people who voted that they were traditional and not passe but at the same time, I saw people say that they had no desire to own or wear one personally. What's that about? Does this point to a grey area that is not represented in my dichotomy?

Food for thought...

[Carlo]

Wearing fur is something you just don't do these days. PETA says hello.
But I still think that there is room for full mask sporrans. I would love a fox, but only if I know where the pelt came from.

[mookien]

What that is about for me (and very likely only for me) is that I am very uncomfortable with the idea of wearing the head of a rodent-like animal in the vicinity of my nether regions, even if said animal is dead. Now, I know that is irrational, but I would feel more comfortable if it were simply the rear end of the animal, tail and all, that was mounted on the front of the sporran.

[ASinclair]

I like to wear a brown leather day sporran. I have a fur and silver mounted formal sporran (my wish is to replace this with a goat hair sporran similar to OCRichard's). However, I enjoy seeing men wearing full mask sporrans at the Highland Games I attend. I think the take away here is that, while many of us prefer to wear these other sporrans, we still find the full masks worn by others aesthetically pleasing and entirely appropriate.

[MacGumerait]

Personally, I like full-mask sporrans when done tastefully. I approach them about the same as Scott, in terms of taste. I'm very picky about the shape and size of them. I've been trying to get one made (from various hides I have), but keep striking out for various reasons. But even if I didn't personally like them, it would still be on stylistic grounds, not based on any sort of anti-fur sentiment. I guess I'm not "civilised" enough to oppose using fur, as long as it's responsible and humane.

Tobus , I completely agree . I don't own a full-mask sporran but I like them when tastefully done .

Also , it would appear that Kinloch Anderson is perhaps suggesting by their wording " This is no longer acceptable as Highland Dress accessory " that they are trying to appease some area of " political correctness " as opposed to saying it is " passé " .

I very well could be wrong , but the wording " no longer acceptable " suggests something much different than " it's no longer popular " ( i.e. passé ) .

I understand KA's reasoning behind their statement .... I just respectfully do not agree with it .

It's perfectly fine to like or dislike the full-mask sporrans , but for KA to say it is no longer acceptable is a bit over the top .

[Tobus]

Wearing fur is something you just don't do these days. PETA says hello.

It may be something you don't do, but that doesn't go for everybody. PETA holds no sway in my area of the world, where the display and use of dead animals (or their parts) is part of popular culture. Down here in Texas, if you walk into virtually any restaurant or popular public venue, you're likely to see displays of taxidermy mounted on the walls. Folks down here wear all sorts of animal products (fur only being useful during the coldest part of the year, and is still considered quite stylish and luxurious with the ladies). Nobody here worries about having paint splattered on them or whatever other stunts the PETA-types like to pull. Texans just don't put up with that. It's something we see on the news from other places, and just shake our heads at.

While I'm sure that the protection of endangered animals, as well as humane treatment of animals, is something that most normal people care about, it is clear that fur is not universally seen as taboo.

[Carlo]

Tobus, I forgot the winking smiley

I quite agree with you. I wouldn't be worried about having paint splattered on my future fox-full mask.

But from a companies point of view I can see why they would want to say that full masks are out of fashion. After all they have been granted the Royal Warrant by Prince Charles and he has banned other things that COULD be connected to animal cruelty.

[BCAC]

Tobus, I forgot the winking smiley

I quite agree with you. I wouldn't be worried about having paint splattered on my future fox-full mask.

But from a companies point of view I can see why they would want to say that full masks are out of fashion. After all they have been
granted the Royal Warrant by Prince Charles and he has banned other things that COULD be connected to animal cruelty.

Leather could also be connected to animal cruelty, at least as much as fur, and very few people have problems with leather.

By the way, I voted resolutely FOR full mask sporrans and am actually in the process of ordering one from Kate MacPherson.

[Jack Daw]

Well, a few years ago, I learned a valuable lesson about how ridiculous the American-made full-mask sporrans can get. It was an expensive lesson, but I still like an appropriately made full-mask.